Choco Orange Cupcakes

Admittedly, I'm new to the whole choco orange sensation...why this combo took me so long to stumble upon, I will never know. This week's blog was inspired by Twitter Mate Sarahs_Scribble and Telly Show 'Something for the Weekend' - both of which filled my head with images of orangey cakey goodness. I'm happy to oblige:

Choco Orange Cupcakes

(eat your heart out jaffa cakes!)

Ingredients:

1 Chocolate Bar (100g Chopped)

1 & 3/4c. Flour

1/2tsp. Baking Powder

1/4tsp. Salt

1 & 1/4c. Granulated Sugar

1/3c. Vegetable Oil

2 large Eggs

1tsp. Vanilla

2 Medium Oranges (For Zest & Juice!)

Directions:

Put your chopped Chocolate pieces into a heat-proof bowl, then place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Leave until melted and smooth. (This will be added to your Chocolate Mixture later.)

For the Base Mixture:

In a large bowl, sift together the Flour, Baking Powder and Salt, then set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the Sugar, Oil, Eggs, and Vanilla. Then using a hand blender, slowly pour your dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend until all is well incorporated.

Now divide your existing mixture into two separate bowls - One bowl (for the Orange Mixture) should have 3/4 of your Base Mix, whilst the other bowl (for the Chocolate Mixture) should have the remaining 1/4 of your Base Mix.

For the Orange Mixture:

Blend the Zest and Juice of two Oranges into the larger portion (3/4) of your Base Mixture. Set aside. (This mixture should come out thin - like your typical cake mixture.)

For the Chocolate Mixture:

Fold the melted Chocolate into the smaller portion (1/4) of your Base Mixture. Set Aside. (This mixture should should have the texture of cookie batter.)

Assembling it All:

Place paper liners a cupcake tin. Then, spoon the Orange Mixture into each of the paper liners until 1/3 full. Next, using a teaspoon, place a dollop of Chocolate Mixture into the centre of each cake.

Pop your cakes into the oven at 180C for 12-18Min or until cakes are firm to the touch.

The cakes should should be spongy on the outside with a chocolate cookie centre. (Re-heat in the microwave to turn the cookie centre into a gooey chocolate surprise!)

Until next time....

Hearts.