♥ Valentine's Day Cupcakes ♥

Chocolate Champagne Cupcakes, Strawberry Jam Filling, and Champagne Cream Cheese Frosting

What could say Valentine’s Day more than a cupcake that combines the most classic flavors of that day?  Chocolate, strawberries, and champagne.  Yum!  I was recently asked by the wonderful Carrie at Class Foundry to come up with something special for Valentine’s day.  Initially, I racked my brain trying to think of what cocktail I could turn into a cupcake.  I looked up tons of pink, fruity cocktails, but nothing seemed quite right.  I decided to just keep it classic and go with champagne.  Add chocolate and strawberries, and you get the perfect cupcake to make for this holiday.  

So, I created these chocolate champagne cupcakes with sweet strawberry jam filling and topped with my favorite champagne cream cheese frosting. They will be a great gift to give that special someone or to enjoy with friends and family♥

[ INGREDIENTS ]

Chocolate Champagne Cupcakes
2 cups + 2 tablespoons sugar
1 ¾  cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup champagne or sparking wine (I used Presto Prosecco Brut)
1/2 cup boiling water

Strawberry Filling
3 cups small diced strawberries
1-2 tablespoons of sugar, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water

Champagne Cream Cheese Frosting
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons Champagne or sparkling wine (I used Presto Prosecco Brut)
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted


[ DIRECTIONS ]

Chocolate Champagne Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
   
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
   
3. In a bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, mix together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   
4. In a separate large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla.
   
5. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and beat for about 2 minutes until well combined.  Be sure to scrape the bowl down halfway through.
   
6. Add the champagne and beat until just combined.
   
7. Add the boiling water and beat until just combined.  Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
   
8. Divide batter between cupcake tins, filling about 2/3 full.
   
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
   
10. Cool completely.

Strawberry Filling

1. Mash the strawberries in a medium saucepan.
   
2. Add the sugar and stir until combined.
   
3. Over medium heat, bring the berries to a boil, stirring frequently.
   
4. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water and mix until well combined.
   
5. When the strawberries start to boil, gradually add the cornstarch mixture.
   
6. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking until thickened, stirring constantly.
   
7. Let cool.
   

Champagne Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese on medium until creamy (approx. 2-3 minutes).
   
2. Add the champagne and beat for a minute longer.
   
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
   
   

Put it all together

1. After the cupcakes have cooled, use a cupcake corer or the back of a pastry tip to remove the center of each cupcake.
   
2. Using a pastry bag, fill each hole with the strawberry mixture.
   
3. Using a pastry bag, pipe on the cream cheese frosting.
   
4. Top each cupcake with a strawberry, Cadbury chocolate buttons, or some red sprinkles.
   
5. Enjoy with the ones you love! ♥