I don’t need much of an arm-twist to bake, especially when chocolate is involved, but this week I was challenged to come up with a recipe using some American Heritage chocolates, which are based on early American chocolate recipes from the 1700s, and a bag of classic M&Ms. I gladly accepted that challenge. This post is sponsored by American Heritage Chocolate but all opinions are my own.
When I receive packages like this…my imagination goes wild. I thought of several things that I could make with one or two of the items, but I was determined to figure out a way to use all 3 for extra chocolately goodness.
I thought of an old recipe for Texas Sheet Cake that I absolutely love and wondered how that might turn out as a cupcake instead of a sheet cake. The result was a very unique cupcake – moist and flavorful and more dense than the typical cake mix cupcake.
The real star of these cupcakes for me was the chocolate buttercream frosting. I ONLY eat frosting that it homemade (Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration, but believe me when I say that at our house, we love our homemade frostings). I have never been able to find the PERFECT chocolate buttercream. Everything else I’ve tried before has been too buttery and not chocolatey enough.
This chocolate frosting was rich and creamy with a deep milk chocolate taste.
I’ll definitely be making it again and again to top future desserts.
Ok, I hate to tease you with all of these pictures. Shall we get to the recipe? I am loving the unique, classic flavor of American Heritage Chocolate – it definitely made a huge difference in these cupcakes. By the way, American Heritage chocolate can replace (or be replaced by) semi-sweet chocolate at a one-to-one ratio, but the taste will be different. More about what goes in to American Heritage chocolates and why it’s so unique in tomorrow’s post.
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup American Heritage chocolate drink (finely grated chocolate)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup M&Ms
- Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened and divided (I prefer using salted)
- ½ cup of American Heritage chocolate drink (finely grated chocolate)
- 1 (3 ounce) American Heritage chocolate block, grated
- 1 tbsp low fat milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- Melt 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Add water and ¼ cup cocoa and stir til chocolate melts; remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, eggs, soda, sour cream. Pour slightly cooled chocolate liquid into bowl and stir until combined. Batter will be slightly lumpy (but I like to get the big lumps out!)
- Pour batter into lined cupcake tin, filling each cup about ?-3/4 full. Drop 5-6 M&Ms into each cup. Stir gently if desired (if you don’t stir, the M&Ms will stay near the top and look delightful when baked!).
- Bake at 350° for about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool before frosting.
- Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Melt ½ cup butter and grated chocolate block in a small sauce pan over medium low heat. Remove from heat.
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl, including melted butter/chocolate. Beat with hand beater til creamy and smooth. Spread or pipe on cooled cupcakes and top with an M&M, if desired.
What will YOU make with American Heritage Chocolates? I am learning all about them today in New York City at M&Ms World, so be sure to check back tomorrow for more news about chocolate!
The cupcakes without frosting were almost too cute to frost….but I promise the frosting is worth it!
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That chocolate looks really good! And yay for successful kitchen adventures! Thanks for linking up this week at #FoodieFridays!
Ummm, yummo! That’s all I can say! Triple chocolate equals a great day for me! Thanks for the recipe! Now I need to go make some!
Ok triple chocolate? you would have had me at just chocolate lol These look super delicious! I will have to make these with the kids.
These cupcakes look delicious, I can’t wait to give them a try. I would use the Heritage Chocolate to make brownies. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
These sound and look delicious! I might have to give them a try.. =]
These cupcakes look yummy! Thank you for the recipe
Can’t wait to try these, but I’m really curious about the American Heritage Chocolate now.