my new toy
ready to be filled
chocolate ganache frosting
better than Hostess's filling
love that shiny frostingI've been wanting to buy one of these cupcake makers for a while, but just kept forgetting to order one. I know you can just cut a cone-shape out of the top and fill or you can use a pastry bag to put a smidge of filling inside your cupcakes, but I wanted to be able to put more than a smidge. The little silicone plug-like things are surrounded by batter and create a perfect pocket to be filled when the cakes cool. I baked one batch in my new toy and the other in my stoneware cupcake pan. For that second batch I did just use a pastry bag to put a bit of filling in each.
Ingredients
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) devil's food cake mix (or your favorite recipe)
Cream Filling
2 teaspoons hot water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ganache Frosting
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Directions
Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
For filling, in a small bowl, combine water and salt until salt is dissolved. Cool. In a small bowl, beat the marshmallow creme, shortening, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy; add the salt mixture. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert round pastry tip. Fill the bag with cream filling. Push the tip through the bottom of paper liner to fill each cupcake.
For ganache frosting, place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency. Top cupcake with frosting; chill for 20 minutes or until set. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen.
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TASTE NOTES
The best thing about these cupcakes is the ganache frosting. I could have eaten the whole bowful. I did use a mix (Duncan Hines) this time, but the cakes were still moist and yummy. The filling tasted a lot like the one in Hostess cupcakes, but better. I can't wait to try a peanut butter filling with chocolate cake and a cannoli filling with white cake. I love my new toy.
