For Tim’s birthday, I asked Sarah, what flavor(s) should his cake be? When she responded with chocolate and Earl Grey, I was ecstatic. I would be happy to make that (and eat that)! They turned out great if I do say so myself, and Lon backs me up.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Earl Grey Frosting 2

* I made these cupcakes again for Liza’s birthday so I updated the finished product photos. 12/09/10

Chocolate Cupcake with Earl Grey Frosting
~about 38 cupcakes

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large (or 5 small) eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sour cream

Earl Grey Frosting

  • 2 Earl Grey tea bags
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6 cups confectioner’s sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin trays with muffin liners.

2. In a medium bowl, dissolve cocoa in boiling water. Set aside to cool.

cocoa and hot water

3. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. In a seperate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to batter, alternating with the sour cream. Add cocoa mixture and mix well.

cake batter chocolate batter

4. Spoon into muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full. They rise a lot and I love to over-fill. =(

5. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes in pan. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Cupcakes

Frosting

6. Empty contents of tea bags into a coffee or spice grinder. Grind until fine powder. Sift together with confectioner’s sugar. Set aside.

Numi Earl Grey

7. Beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with paddle attachment on medium speed for 5 minutes. Beat in sugar/tea mix a little bit at a time. When it is all in, beat another 5 minutes on medium speed. Spread on cupcakes.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Earl Grey Frosting

posted by jessica at 10:37 PM Filed under Desserts, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.