Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting Recipe

Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes with Mascarpone Frosting Recipe - These irresistible chocolate strawberry cupcakes with mascarpone frosting are like no other cupcakes you had before. They start with melted chocolate …. And you know how I feel when a recipe starts with melted chocolate. Makes my heart sing!

Servings: 18

Ingredients

Chocolate strawberry cupcakes

4 oz baking semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1/2 cup butter, diced
2/3 cup strawberry preserve
1/2 cup Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups self raising flour

Mascarpone Frosting

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
8 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature
4 cups Imperial Sugar Confectioners Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350F. Line 18 cupcake cups with paper liners. Set aside.
In a microwavable bowl place the chocolate and the butter. Microwave in 15-20 seconds increments stirring when it stops, until the chocolate is melted and gets a smooth consistency.
Refrigerate for 5 minutes or cool for 15-20 at room temperature until cooled slightly. (have enough patience to chill it, otherwise the eggs will start to cook).
Pour the chocolate mixture into a mixing bowl.
Add the strawberry preserve, sugar and mix well.
Stir in the eggs and beat to combine.
Gently fold in the flour and stir until there's no more flour showing.
With an ice-cream scoop, spoon the batter into the prepared paper liners.
Bake for about 16-18 minutes, until firm to the touch and/or a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Cool completely before frosting.

Mascarpone frosting

Add butter and mascarpone cheese to a mixing bowl.
With the paddle attachment on, beat on medium low speed until smooth and fluffy.
Lower the mixer's speed to low and slowly, beat in the powder sugar, 1/22 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Once all the sugar is added, beat in the vanilla extract and increase the mixer's speed to medium. Beat for 1 more minute.
Spoon the frosting into a piping bag and frost the cupcakes.
Decorate with a fresh strawberry, grated chocolate or a piece of chocolate. Optional.