Gluten-free Chocolate Cupcakes




I like this recipe because it doesn't rely too heavily on the flour.  Any recipe that has as much chocolate and butter as it does flour is okay by my.  This method of making cake batter results in a spectacular spongy structure.  If you would like to make this with regular gluten-ful flour, simply substitute it out by volume and omit the chia seed if desired.



I adapted both of these recipes from the Joy of Cooking, which I use constantly for recipe inspiration.

Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe


Makes 9 large or 12 small cupcakes

Have all ingredients at room temperature.  Heat the oven to 350 F.

Whisk together in a medium mixing bowl, then set aside:

1/2 cup gluten-free cake flour, pastry flour, or 1:1 gluten-free flour
1/2 cup dutch processed cocoa
1/4 tsp salt + a pinch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp chia seed, very finely ground

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream with the paddle attachment for 30 seconds:

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

With the mixer running on medium, slowly add:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar

When the sugar is incorporated into the butter, set the mixer to high and whip the butter and sugar together until lightened in color and very fluffy, about 5 minutes.  It's ready when the butter feels light and fluffy on the tongue and the sugar is mostly dissolved.  Add one at a time and mix in on medium speed:

3 eggs

Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until it's just incorporated.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and re-mix as necessary.

Divide the batter between 9-12 cupcake liners.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.  Let cool before frosting (see below for a delicious dark chocolate frosting recipe).


Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze or Frosting


Heat on low, stirring constantly until it's melted:

3 oz dark chocolate
3 Tablespoons water

Take the mixture off the heat and stir in:

3 Tablespoons butter

Stir the butter into the chocolate until very smooth.  Stir occasionally as it cools.  Use at 90 degrees for a glaze or at room temperature for a frosting.





Comments

Michele said…
Yum! This looks really tasty. I'll have to try it next time I'm craving cupcakes.

Lately I've been making quinoa chocolate cupcakes using the Bob's Red Mill recipe. It's a little "earthier" than usual, but I kind of like that!
June 18, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Gina said…
Quinoa flour definitely has a distinctive taste. This recipe has so many eggs I bet you could use almost any flour with it. Let me know if you try it Michele! Thanks for the comment!
June 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM
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