Honey Fudge Cupcakes

I came across this Chocolate Honey Ganache Layer Cake the other day on FineCooking.com, and was so excited to try it!  I modified the recipe a bit by changing it from  a layer cake to cupcakes, and I changed the frosting as well.  The result is a moist and delicious cupcake where both the chocolate and honey flavors stand out quite well.  The frosting is a rich fudge and honey frosting, where again, the chocolate and honey are prominent flavors.

Honey Fudge Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup hot water
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
6 Tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
6 Tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey Fudge Frosting:
1 1/4 sticks (10 Tablespoons) butter
2 ounces (heaping 1/2 cup) powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
6 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces (1/2 cup) milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, honey, and hot water.  Mix until smooth, set aside.  In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.  Beat in the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract.  Gradually add the chocolate mixture alternately with the flour mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture.  Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.

Fill the lined muffin cups about 2/3 full, then bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.  Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for several minutes before transferring them to cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

For the honey fudge frosting, place the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, 15 to 30 seconds.  Add the honey and vanilla and process again, just until combined, 10 to 15 seconds.  Finally, add the melted and cooled chocolate and pulse until combined, another 10 to 15 seconds.  Let the frosting sit for several minutes before spreading or piping on the cooled cupcakes.  Makes 24 cupcakes.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy