Can’t decide between a cupcake or a brownie? Why not enjoy both! These brownie cupcakes combine chocolate and vanilla for an irresistible treat!
Who doesn’t love the classic combination of chocolate and vanilla? Brownie cupcakes combine the best of both worlds! They are a delicious and unique twist on traditional cupcakes. With a rich chocolate brownie base, a fluffy vanilla cake top, and a delicious frosting, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any event. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think! Plus, you can add a little food coloring to make these feel festive for any occasion!
Tips for Frosting Cupcakes
Frosting cupcakes can be a fun and creative way to decorate your baked goods. Here are some tips to help you achieve a beautiful and professional-looking frosting on your cupcakes:
- Start with the right tools: A piping bag with a tip and a coupler will help you achieve a clean and even frosting. You can also use a spatula or butter knife to spread frosting on the cupcakes.
- Make sure your cupcakes are cool: Wait until your cupcakes are completely cool before frosting them. If the cupcakes are still warm, the frosting can melt and become messy.
- Level the cupcakes: Use a knife or cupcake corer to level the top of each cupcake before frosting. This will create a flat surface and ensure that the frosting sits evenly on top.
- Apply the frosting: Hold the piping bag or spatula at a 90-degree angle and apply pressure to create a steady stream of frosting. Start at the center of the cupcake and work your way outwards in a circular motion.
- Use the right amount of frosting: Apply enough frosting to cover the top of the cupcake, but don’t go overboard. Too much frosting can make the cupcake overly sweet and messy.
- Experiment with different designs: You can create different designs with your frosting, such as swirls, rosettes, or even writing. Use different tips and techniques to create unique looks.
- Chill the cupcakes: If you’re having trouble with the frosting sticking or becoming messy, try chilling the cupcakes in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before frosting. This will help the frosting set and become easier to work with.
Remember, frosting cupcakes can take practice and patience, but with these tips and a little creativity, you’ll be able to create beautiful treats! And remember the goal is to have fun with it, so don’t stress if it’s not perfect. Either way, these cupcakes will taste amazing!
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Brownie Cupcakes
Description
Can’t decide between a cupcake or a brownie? Why not enjoy both! These brownie cupcakes combine chocolate and vanilla for an irresistible treat!
Ingredients
For the brownies
- 3/4 cup butter – softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all purposes flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
FOR THE CAKE LAYER:
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Orange food coloring gel
FOR THE FROSTING:
- 1 cup of shortening
- 1 cup of butter – softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 – 5 cups powdered sugar
- Orange food coloring gel
- Brown food coloring gel
Instructions
For the brownie layer:
- In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, vanilla, eggs, and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
- Blend together, and add to the mixer, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, and fill the liners about 1/3 full of the brownie batter.
For the cake layer
- In a clean mixing bowl, add the sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until creamy and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and blend well.
- Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl a little at a time, alternating withe the milk, until all flour and milk have been added.
- Blend until the batter is smooth.
- Add the Orange food coloring gel, about 1/2 a teaspoon to start, and mix to blend the color. If the color is not bright orange, add a little more food coloring gel until desired color is achieved.
- Fill the cupcake liners with the orange cake batter, to about 2/3 full, on top of the brownie layer.
- Place the muffin tin in the oven at 350 degrees, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- When the cupcakes are done, remove them from the muffin tin to a wire rack to cool. Allow the cupcakes to completely cool, about 2 hours.
For the frosting:
- In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, blend the shortening and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla, and blend.
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, alternating with the cream until the frosting is smooth, thick, and creamy.
- When the frosting is blended, remove half the frosting to another bowl, and add orange food coloring gel until the frosting is desired color. Stir well to blend.
- Add the Brown food coloring gel to the mixer, and mix until the frosting looks like thick chocolate frosting. If the frosting seems it’s not quite thick enough, add a little more powdered sugar, and mix until desired consistency is achieved.
- Do this with both the orange and the brown frosting. If the frosting seems like it’s too thick, add cream, 2 – 3 drops at a time until it thins a little.
- On your counter, lay two pieces of Plastic wrap, about 6 – 8 inches wide, out flat on the counter.
- Place the orange frosting in the center of one piece, and the brown frosting in the center of the other piece of plastic.
- Roll the plastic wrap around the frosting, until you have a long tube like piece of plastic, with the frosting in it.
- Trim the end off of the plastic wrap, and place the plastic wrap with the frosting, side by side in a pastry bag, with the star tip.
- Starting on the outside of the cupcake, squeeze the pastry bag down toward the cupcake, and swirl the frosting around on the top, coming up to a point in the middle off the cupcake (see photo). This will give you the orange and brown swirl.
- Sprinkle Fall color sprinkles on top of the cupcakes to finish decorating these wonder cupcakes.
