Sinful Pleasures…
Let me make a confession. I am not a baker. I am not into baking, nor do I enjoy the tiresome process of folding one part of the batter into the other. Infact, the closest step I take to baking is opening a pre-packaged box of cake mix, breaking an egg or two into it as per the instructions, a spash of water as needed, and popping it into a warm oven.
Except until I decided to throw down my shield and create this. It was simple, quick and easy - not something I can easily relate to with baking. And so today, once more, I thought of doing the unmentioned. I decided to create a recipe that wouldn’t drive me away from the oven, but instead, could be my run-to solution for a quick remedy to those sugar pangs.
For the past one week, I’ve been craving chocolate. Not just any chocolate, but those sinfuly, rich, dark, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth-rest-on-your-hips decadent chocolate cakes. And it didn’t help that all the food magazines I subscribe to (yes, all 10 of them!) were filled with the most drool enhancing photographs of chocolatey holiday treats.
Looking puppy-eyed and battling my eye lids to Hubby didn’t work either. He refused to buy me a 12-inch cake to eat all by myself (locked in a room, gorging on it with my bare hands and having cream all over my face and hands, just like in my most secret chocolate fantasy!). So I had no choice but to experiment, and that I sure did. I studied over a dozen recipes, worked out the necessary ingredients, altered the measurements and of course, simplified the process.
As I sat down and took the first bite of the warm cake, I was taken to a place I had since long yearned to go. I suggest induling in the sin fresh from the oven. The soft chocolate chips in their almost liquified form, gives the cakes a warm gooey goodness. almost to the likes of a molten chocolate interior.
THE DEVIL-IN-ME DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
Prep time: 10 min, Cooking time: 15 min | Makes: 12 cupcakes
1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup warm water 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 4 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp pure vanilla essence 1 tsp instant coffee powder MIX all ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a large bowl to form a thick rich batter.
FOLD in chocolate chips and pour cake mixture into muffin cups set in a muffin tray bake for 15-20 in a 375 degree pre-heated oven till done.
RECIPE NOTES: To check if cakes are done, prick the middle with a tooth-pick, and if it comes out clean, then cakes are ready to taken out of the heat.
Enjoy with a warm cup of deliciously rich and frothy coffee!
November 15th, 2006 19:51
I totally agree with you about craving for chocolate. I get that often and keep find ways to indulge myself. Thanks for the recipe. Will definitely try it. Also can you tell me how many muffins you made out of this recipe?
This easy recipe will definitely cure those chocolate cravings anyday, Deepz. They make 12 perfectly large cup cakes. Enjoy!
November 15th, 2006 19:55
I will be baking this today! can’t help but make it seeing that your pics look so appetising.Good work.
Thanks Poornima, let me know how t goes. Hope you like them!
November 16th, 2006 05:20
Sure they do look devilishly delicious and chocolatey. My mouth is watering already. I think I have all the ingredients in my pantry. Will try it out.
November 16th, 2006 07:59
Lovely cupcakes. Would taste greater with buttercream topping.
November 16th, 2006 09:14
Chocolate sometimes comforts me…Awesome picture! I think it’s time to put some brownies or cupcakes in the oven….You did it meena.
November 16th, 2006 11:51
Its even sinful looking at the picture. Unbelievably yummy, I could sense the taste just staring at it.
Anytime Chocolates for me! Wish choloates were of zero calories.
November 16th, 2006 13:13
Oooooh…those look delish! I just made Devil’s food cake last night with peanut butter frosting too..to calm my throbbing sweet tooth. :p
BTW,*it worked*.
Cheers,Trupti
November 16th, 2006 13:13
Great looking choclate cakes…Thanks for sharing
November 16th, 2006 20:54
You are such a chocoholic. I am not such a chocolate fan, but those cupcakes are so cute. I used to love baking, but these days no interest.
November 17th, 2006 11:08
The cake looks good. Just wanted to check if u beat all the ingredients with a blender or was is just by hand ? Do let me know.
Hi Nithya, I mixed tham all in a big bowl by hand. The batter is quite light and the melted butter makes it even easier to incorporate all the ingredients with minimum fuss.
November 26th, 2006 04:56
finally got to baking the cake and —YUMMMMM!
December 3rd, 2006 06:15
Simply love this one, want to try it over the festive week!
I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy this recipe Nandita, do let me know how it goes!
December 19th, 2006 22:18
This is a great and simply recipe! I tried it out today and it taste really good. One thing though is the bottom of my cakes are sticking to the muffin cup. Any suggestion how to avoid that?
June 6th, 2007 03:49
This is a great simple recipe. I’ve brought cup cases and will be working this out soon. Have you ever tried making black forest cake??
Hi Reshmi, I’m not much of a baker, and don’t enjoy it too much either. My quick fix for any pastry craving is to rush to the nearest bakery!
August 29th, 2007 23:58
hi! im just trying my hands at baking and wud like to know
-whats the diff between b.soda and b.powder? and how do u know when to use which?!
-can the above recipe be used to bake a cake, instead of cupcakes…i dont have a muffin tray!:(
May 9th, 2009 23:46
Hi Meena
I am one of those people who fantasize about being a good cook but in reality fare better in the eating department. Your blog inspires me especially since I am Malaysian and I love your Msian dishes ie Nasi Lemak, Egg Sambal. You make me want to cook today! Thank you! I will be following your blog religiously. These cup cakes look heavenly!