Fluffy chocolate cupcakes topped with elderflower buttercream and sweet & crunchy candied elderflowers. A nice way to celebrate the summer solstice, just as elderflowers bloom.
4 ounces unsalted butter, soft
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup whole milk yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
5 ounces hot water
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg whites
8 ounces unsalted butter, soft
1 teaspoon dried elderflowers, crumbled
1 tablespoon St Germain or elderflower bourbon
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, 2 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, and turn mixer up to medium. Beat for about 5 minutes, until pale and creamy.
3. In a small bowl, sift together dry ingredients. In a second small bowl, whisk together sour cream and vanilla.
4. Add 1/3 of dry mixture into the egg and butter mix; blend lightly. Add 1/2 of the dry ingredients, mixing on low until almost incorporated. Repeat this alternation, ending with the last 1/3 of the dry ingredients.
5. With mixer on low, slowly pour hot water into batter in a gradual stream, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula every once in a while. Once fully incorporated, divide batter evenly in prepared cupcake tin.
6. Bake until cakes spring back when touched, about 20-25 minutes.
1. Pour sugar into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover with just enough water to saturate the sugar. Place on stove over medium-high heat and cook until it reaches the soft-ball stage, about 240° F.
2. Meanwhile, while sugar cooks, place egg whites into a clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on high until soft peaks form. If soft peaks form before syrup is ready, turn mixture on low.
3. Once syrup is ready, pour into egg whites in a slow and gradual stream, with mixer on medium. Once all syrup is in, continue to whisk on medium for about 5 minutes, or until mixture has cooled slightly.
4. Start adding in soft butter, about a tablespoon at a time, until all the butter is in. Allow to beat a few more minutes until buttercream is silky and smooth.
5. Add dried elderflowers and elderflower bourbon until mixed.
6. Use a star tip and piping bag to frost cupcakes with elderflower buttercream. Top with candied elderflowers, if desired.
Makes about 16-18 cupcakes. Will store great in fridge for about 3 days; allow to warm to room temperature before eating for best texture and flavor.
Note: Click here to view recipe to make your own elderflower bourbon.
