Chocolate Wedding Cupcakes - Recipe

For the cupcakes:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup confectioners/icing sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine all the cupcake ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low-medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes.



Vanilla frosting (option 1):
2/3 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cold milk
1 cup cold butter
1 tsp. clear vanilla extract
18 brown filigree cupcake wraps


2.a) Place sugar, flour and salt in saucepan and mix thoroughly, stir in milk. Cook over medium heat and stir constantly until very thick. Remove from heat and pour into a medium mixing bowl. Cool to room temperature. Add 1/2 cup butter at a time (cut into several pieces) and beat at medium-high speed until smooth. Add vanilla and beat well. Chill icing for a few minutes before decorating. Wrap each cupcake before icing. Frost with a piping bag fit with a large open star tip. 
*Iced cupcakes must be refrigerated until serving time.*


Chocolate frosting (option 2):
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 cup cocoa powder OR 7 oz unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups icing/confectioners sugar, sifted
4-5 tbsp. milk
18 brown filigree cupcake wraps


2.b) Cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add cocoa and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Wrap each cupcake before icing. Frost with a piping bag fit with a large open star tip. 


Makes approximately 18 cupcakes. 


Try putting a white wrap on vanilla frosted cupcakes, or a chocolate wrap on chocolate frosted cupcakes for a uniform look. If you want to try something different, mix up the wraps with icing colours for a contrasting look.