{"id":"b5ddf005-58dc-4606-b469-4745805159c9","url":"https://recipestripper.com/recipes/b5ddf005-58dc-4606-b469-4745805159c9","source_url":"https://eatlittlebird.com/christmas-cupcakes/","title":"Christmas Cupcakes","description":"Moist chocolate gingerbread cupcakes topped with a chocolate ganache. These Christmas Cupcakes are an elegant dessert for the festive season!","servings":12,"servings_text":"12","prep_time":"PT20M","cook_time":"PT20M","total_time":"PT40M","image_url":"https://eatlittlebird.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/christmas-cupcakes-5.jpg","ingredients":[{"text":"125 ml water","item":"water","quantity":125,"unit":"ml"},{"text":"75 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)","item":"dark chocolate","quantity":75,"unit":"g","preparation":"70% cocoa"},{"text":"1 teaspoon instant coffee powder","item":"instant coffee powder","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"150 g plain flour (all-purpose flour)","item":"plain flour","quantity":150,"unit":"g","preparation":"all-purpose flour"},{"text":"5 g baking powder","item":"baking powder","quantity":5,"unit":"g"},{"text":"1/2 teaspoon baking soda","item":"baking soda","quantity":0.5,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"1 teaspoon mixed spice","item":"mixed spice","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"pinch fine salt","item":"fine salt","unit":"pinch"},{"text":"2 eggs","item":"eggs","quantity":2},{"text":"3 tablespoons sour cream","item":"sour cream","quantity":3,"unit":"tbsp"},{"text":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","item":"vanilla extract","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"100 g unsalted butter (softened)","item":"unsalted butter","quantity":100,"unit":"g","preparation":"softened"},{"text":"160 g dark muscovado sugar (or dark brown sugar, or light muscovado sugar)","item":"dark muscovado sugar","quantity":160,"unit":"g","preparation":"or dark brown sugar, or light muscovado sugar"},{"text":"100 ml double cream","item":"double cream","quantity":100,"unit":"ml"},{"text":"125 g dark chocolate (60% or 70% cocoa)","item":"dark chocolate","quantity":125,"unit":"g","preparation":"60% or 70% cocoa"},{"text":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","item":"vanilla extract","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp"},{"text":"fresh redcurrants","item":"fresh redcurrants"}],"instructions":[{"number":1,"text":"Preheat the oven to 200°C/392°F (without fan).","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":2,"text":"Preheat a metal tray in the middle shelf of the oven.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":3,"text":"Place the water, chocolate and instant coffee in a small saucepan.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":4,"text":"Heat the saucepan until the chocolate starts to melt.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":5,"text":"Take the saucepan off the heat.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":6,"text":"Whisk the mixture until the chocolate has fully melted and the liquid mixture is smooth.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":7,"text":"Set aside to cool slightly while you get on with the rest of the recipe.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":8,"text":"Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, mixed spice and salt into a large bowl.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":9,"text":"In a small jug, whisk together the eggs, sour cream and vanilla.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":10,"text":"Place the butter and sugar into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric stand mixer.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":11,"text":"Cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":12,"text":"Add the egg mixture.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":13,"text":"Slowly beat in the flour mixture, one tablespoon at a time.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":14,"text":"Keep beating the batter until everything is well incorporated and smooth.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":15,"text":"Line a 12-hole cupcake/muffin pan with paper cases.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":16,"text":"Divide the batter between the paper cases.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":17,"text":"Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cakes comes out clean.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":18,"text":"Leave the cupcakes in the pan for about 5 minutes, before removing them to cool completely on a wire rack.","section":"For the Cupcakes"},{"number":19,"text":"In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, gently warm the cream, chocolate and vanilla.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":20,"text":"Once you see the chocolate start to melt, remove the saucepan from the heat.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":21,"text":"Use a whisk to mix everything together.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":22,"text":"If there are still solid pieces of chocolate, return the saucepan to the heat until all of the chocolate has melted, whisking continuously.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":23,"text":"Once you have a smooth and thick mixture, the ganache is ready.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":24,"text":"Set the saucepan aside for the mixture to cool slightly. The ganache will thicken as it cools, but you want to use it while it is still warm.","section":"For the Chocolate Ganache"},{"number":25,"text":"Dollop a generous teaspoon of warm ganache onto a cupcake.","section":"To Decorate the Cupcakes"},{"number":26,"text":"Decorate with some redcurrants.","section":"To Decorate the Cupcakes"},{"number":27,"text":"Repeat for all of the cupcakes.","section":"To Decorate the Cupcakes"}],"date_published":"2026-10-29T23:57:41.582052+00:00","date_modified":"2026-10-29T23:57:41.582052+00:00"}