Chocolate Toffee Cupcakes Recipes

Steps:

• Dissolve espresso granules in boiling water; cool. , In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with espresso mixture and mix well. Fold in toffee bits. , Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. , In a large bowl, combine frosting and espresso granules. Frost cupcakes; sprinkle with chocolate chips and toffee bits.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together the buttermilk, coffee, oil, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl.
• Pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the bowl then add the remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine. Scrape down the bowl and paddle. Increase the speed to medium and beat for a full minute.
• Fill the prepared cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• For the frosting: Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over simmering water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the simmering water and let it cool until room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, drizzle in the melted chocolate and beat until completely blended. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Decoratively pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 24 cupcake liners in a cupcake pan.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar, milk, cocoa, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, salt and eggs. Mix until smooth. Add the baking soda to 1 cup water. Add baking soda mixture to the batter. Mix well (the batter will be thin). Pour the batter into baking cups, filling three-quarters of the way up. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
• To assemble: Place the Caramel in a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Push the tip through the bottom of paper liner to fill each cupcake. Add the Whipped Frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large tip. Pipe a swirl of the frosting onto each cupcake, covering the filling. Sprinkle the Toffee over the frosting. Transfer the cupcakes to the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• In a large saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar, milk, butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and the salt. While stirring, bring to a boil. Cook for 7 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the remaining teaspoon of vanilla extract. Let cool.
• Chill the bowl of a stand mixer in the freezer.
• Add the heavy cream to the chilled bowl. Whip with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add the confectioners' sugar and continue to whip until thoroughly combined and stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over beat. Blend in the vanilla extract.
• Spray a large cookie sheet with nonstick spray. Combine the butter, granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a heavy pan. Stir constantly at a simmer until the mixture turns brown (like a brown paper bag). Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Break the chocolate bar onto the toffee while still hot. With the back of a spoon, spread the chocolate evenly. Let cool and then break into small pieces.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Whisk the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add to dry ingredients just until combined. Stir in toffee bits. , Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup cocoa mixture until smooth. Add milk, vanilla and remaining cocoa mixture; beat until desired spreading consistency is reached. Stir in 1/2 cup toffee bits. , Frost cupcakes. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Top with remaining toffee bits before serving.