Chocolate Cupcakes

Dairy - small corner convenience store
Jandals - flip flops
Togs - Swimsuit
Bach - Beach house
Baths - Public Pool
Bush Walk - hike through the woods
Before my trip I had no idea that there were so many words that New Zealanders use that I wouldn't understand. 🤣  Check out these pictures of my very first bush walk.😉  

This was an amazing bush walk just outside of Wellington.  I don't think I would label it as a strenuous hike but at one point I did take off my shoes to cross a very swollen creek.  And that, in my opinion, is the difference between a walk in the woods and a hike.🥾😅 

I think we can all agree that the best way to recover after a long hike is with a chocolate cupcake.  It makes perfect sense now that there are so many pastry shops in the city of Wellington.😅  Here's my New Zealand travel tip for the day: Take a bush walk and then straight to a party shop for a sweet treat.🧁  

These chocolate cupcakes dipped in chocolate ganache and covered with chocolate sprinkles aren't just for the choco-holics.  They're for everyone who loves the cake portion of the cupcake far more than the frosting.  I'm a fan of frosting but even I think that this is the perfect amount of sweet icing on top of a rich, dark chocolate cupcake. 

Chocolate Cupcakes
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Ganache
13 oz. dark chocolate
1 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Sift together flour, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt - twice.

Beat sugar and butter 3 minutes on high. 

Add eggs, one at a time.  Add vanilla. 

Add flour mixture and then milk. 

Scoop batter into 24 paper lined cupcake tins.

Bake 18 minutes at 350.

Combine ganache in bowl and suspend over a bowl of simmering water. 

Stir until melted, shiny and smooth.

Dip each cupcake upside down in ganache to cover top. 

Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles. 

Ciao!

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