chocolate salted caramel swirl cupcakes
- ½ cup (125ml) water
- 110g unsalted butter, chopped
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup (80g) sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150g) plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted
- ¾ teaspoon bicarbonate of (baking) soda, sifted
- 1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt flakes, plus extra, for sprinkling
- ¼ cup (75g) store-bought dulce de leche or thick caramel
- ¼ cup (25g) Dutch cocoa powder, sifted
chocolate mousse icing
- 400g 70% dark chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup (125ml) single (pouring) cream
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 eggwhites
- 1 cup (250ml) double (thick) cream, whipped to soft peaks
- Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Place the water and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir until the butter is melted.
- Add the egg, sour cream, vanilla, flour, bicarbonate of soda, sugar and salt, and whisk to combine. Place one-third of the mixture in a medium bowl, add the dulce de leche and mix to combine. Add the cocoa to the remaining mixture and mix until smooth.
- Spoon the caramel mixture into 12 x ½-cup-capacity (125ml) cupcake tins lined with patty cases and top with the chocolate mixture. Cook for 25–28 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the chocolate mousse icing. Place the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat.
- Place the single cream and egg yolks in a small jug and whisk to combine. Add to the chocolate and stir until smooth. Place the eggwhites in a medium bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Carefully fold through the chocolate mixture. Add the double cream and gently fold through. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
- Place the mousse in a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm star-shaped nozzle. Pipe the icing onto the cakes and sprinkle with the extra salt. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 12
© DONNA HAY GROUP
