Chocolate Kaluha Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

• 1 cup Kaluha liquor
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Strawberry Frosting:

• 1/2 cup whole fresh (or frozen, thawed strawberries)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
• pinch of salt
• 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Makes 12 Cupcakes

1. For the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 1 standard cupcake pan with 12 liners
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, simmer Kaluha and butter. Slowly whisk in cocoa powder into saucepan until mixture is creamy. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Meanwhile, whisk in granulated sugar, flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon in a large bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and sour cream with an electric mixer. Slowly add liquor and cocoa mixture and combine on low speed.
5. Slowly add flour mixture, combining on low speed until completely incorporated.
6. Fill baking cups 3/4 full and bake 20-22 minutes. Set aside to cool.
7. For the Frosting: Puree the strawberries in a blender or food processor.
8. In a bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined.
9. Add vanilla extract and 2 tbsp of the strawberry puree (save remaining puree for decoration or other use). Mix until just blended. Frost on top of cupcake and enjoy!
    

WW POINTS VALUE: Who Knows?

Note: This recipe appeared in the June 2012 Family Circle. The heat wave is gone (for now) and I was excited to get back into the kitchen and cook. We were having company for dinner and I wanted to do a sophisticated dessert and I have been dying to try this recipe. The original recipe is Chocolate Bourbon Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting created by Spinkles founder Candace Nelson. I used Kaluha liquor in place of the bourbon and I also added ground cinnamon for an authentic sweet Mexican flavor. My company and I LOVED these cupcakes! Ms. Nelson certainly knows her cupcakes. These chocolate cupcakes were moist and flavorful and they tasted like Mexico. The strawberry forsting was delicious, airy, cool and refreshing. You can use any kind of berries in this frosting and it will still be delicious. I highly recommend serving these guilty pleasures at your next gathering because they are a great way to end your dinner party. If you can't go to Sprinkles, let Sprinkles come to you. Ms. Nelson, if you're reading this, your cupcakes are delicious and I look forward to trying more of your delicious cupcakes.