The girls came over the other night to watch the Bachelor (go Melissa!), so I whipped up these cupcakes from a cupcake calendar that one of the girls gave me for Christmas. Unfortunately, that particular girlfriend was sick and didn’t end up making it. When making these, I set two of them aside to send to my other girlfriend who’s birthday is today. Happy birthday T!
Since this was the first time using a recipe out of the cupcake calendar, I wasn’t sure how these would end up. But…holy ma-noly! These are fantastic! They’re very chocolaty and the perfect texture….dense, yet fluffy, yet moist! Is that even possible to be that perfect!? (Isn’t that what Jason, the Bachelor, just said about Melissa!?) 🙂
This calendar doesn’t list a different cupcake recipe every day, as you might expect, but instead gives a basic recipe then variations the next couple of days. Personally, I like this idea. I made a few tweaks of my own, such as leaving off the frosting and topping with powdered sugar hearts, instead.
If your significant other is a chocolate lover, make these cupcakes for Valentine’s Day…they are sure to please!
Ultimate Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes (adapted from The Cupcake Calendar)
1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 oz) bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
4 eggs
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted (I used a Dutch blend)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Place 12 paper baking cups in a muffin pan. Put the chocolate and butter in a double boiler, or medium bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir until completely melted. Set aside to cool. In large bowl, cream the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and thick. Gently fold in the melted chocolate and remaining ingredients.
Spoon the batter into the cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack.
Bring back your elementary school craft skills and cut a heart shape out of wax paper. Use both the die-cut and the stencil shape to cover the cupcakes and sift the powdered sugar over top to make your heart topping.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to check out how you can win a RED ice cream maker from Pennies on a Platter!
Penny Says: Have guests coming over last minute? Find a basic baking recipe where you have all ingredients on hand. If you are missing one minor ingredient, don’t go out and buy it, just make it without and it just may turn out better (like this cupcake recipe, I left out ground almonds)!
Erin says
February 12, 2009 at 9:38 PMI’m team Melissa too! I can just see in HIM that he’s fallen for her! These look yummy!
bakingblonde says
February 12, 2009 at 9:45 PMThose look and sound perfect for VDay!! I love the pictures, so mouthwatering!
Kaitlyn says
February 12, 2009 at 10:18 PMoh wow those look so yummy, i want one now! do you think it’ll work with semisweet chocolate or is that too sweet? oh and sorry if it’s a dumb question but what is sweet butter? i think i only have regular butter…
Pennies on a Platter says
February 13, 2009 at 5:26 AMHi Kaitlyn,
Actually, I meant to change that in the recipe to just “butter” because I just used my regular butter, too, and knew it would probably confuse everyone by putting the “sweet butter” that the original recipe calls for. However, the butter I always use it unsalted, sweet cream butter. You probably do, too, and might not even notice. Either way, it shouldn’t matter. The important part is that when you bake, you should use unsalted butter.
The semi-sweet chocolate should work, too. I’m a big fan of bittersweet, but you should be fine and it should still be delicious with semi-sweet. 🙂
snowgal says
March 17, 2014 at 3:12 PMhi there,
could you explain the egg part of this recipe a little better?
Thanks!
Nikki says
March 17, 2014 at 8:09 PMHi Snowgal,
I’m happy to help clarify any steps in this recipe. It is an old one, so definitely not written the best, I’m sure. 🙂 What specifically is confusing you about the eggs?
Mama Bear says
February 13, 2009 at 12:15 AMOhhhhhhh those look good!!!!!
Annie says
February 13, 2009 at 6:20 AMSo cute!
marsha says
February 13, 2009 at 7:02 AMOooo, these look so good! Could I substitute Ghiradelli cocoa for the Dutch-process cocoa?
Pennies on a Platter says
February 13, 2009 at 12:50 PMMarsha, you should be able to use your Ghiradelli cocoa powder and turn out just fine. Here is a link with more information on the difference between Dutch-process and natural cocoa powder.
elly says
February 13, 2009 at 9:11 AMThese sound awesome and they turned out to beautifully!
Rachel says
February 13, 2009 at 9:49 AMHi there
may i know how much almond did the original recipe called for?
TIA!
Pennies on a Platter says
February 13, 2009 at 12:39 PMHi Rachel. No problem! It called for 2 tablespoons ground almond mixed in with the “remaining ingredients.”
Erin says
February 13, 2009 at 10:42 AMThese look so yummy!
amy says
February 13, 2009 at 11:44 AMthey look so fab! what is a cupcake calendar n where do u get it?
Pennies on a Platter says
February 13, 2009 at 12:41 PMHi Amy! Here’s a link to the calendar. The Cupcake Calendar
amy says
February 13, 2009 at 11:45 AMthey loook fab! what is a cupcake calendar and how do i get one?:P
ingrid says
February 13, 2009 at 12:01 PMThat’s great that it worked for you. I’m getting braver about “winging it”. It’s a wonderful feeling when things work out.
Btw, I saw your DIY “studio” box here & showed my Honey, so guess what he’s making for me today? 🙂 He bought me one of the Lowell EGO lights for Christmas & I love it but I’d like more of a “studio” for out in the garage. Thx, for the info on it!! I’m going to play your video for him this evening.
Almost forgot thanks for stopping by my blog & commenting!
~ingrid
Zerrin says
February 13, 2009 at 1:43 PMI can feel how they are yummy in my mouth right now thanks to this wonderful picture
Ceres says
February 13, 2009 at 3:53 PMGreat pictures! The contrasting hearts look amazing.
amy says
February 14, 2009 at 1:31 AMthank you! i dont have walmart here though. lol
Amanda says
February 23, 2009 at 7:48 PMI happened upon this post because I very much need to find a chocolate cupcake to make in about a week.
Turns out you and I have a lot in common. I’m watching The Bachelor tell all episode right now. 🙂 And I too was slightly disappointed to find that the cupcake calendar only changes recipes every few days.
Maybe I should try the flourless cupcakes. They look really cute with the hearts on them.
eva says
September 6, 2009 at 4:47 AMheyy,
just to clarify, the recipe calls for 4 eggs, or 4 eggs, PLUS another 4 egg yolks?
thanks!
Pennies on a Platter says
September 6, 2009 at 8:22 AMHi Eva,
You’re not seeing double-vision. It actually does call for 4 eggs and plus another 4 egg yolks. Hope this helps!
Marie-Laure says
October 6, 2011 at 5:21 AMAnd do you add the 4 eggs yolks in with the butter and chocolate, and do 4 egg whites mixed with the sugar? then folded afterwards with the butter-chocolate-egg yolk mix?
Nikki says
October 6, 2011 at 12:03 PMHi Marie-Laure,
You add the 4 whole eggs plus 4 egg yolks (save their egg whites for another recipe) all at the same time with the sugar.
Thanks!
Nikki
Princessa says
February 21, 2010 at 8:01 AMI’m confused. After reading all the blogs and reviews, it mentions that u left out the ground almonds, but the recipe doesn’t show that ingredient ast all. For a flourless “cake” I would always put the ground almonds in. It meakes a more denser cake. What would be the amoints for adding back in the gtround almonds?
Thank you.
Pennies on a Platter says
February 21, 2010 at 9:54 AMHi Princessa,
When I change a recipe, I write it in my post as I made it (changes included) then link to the original source. Unfortunately, the original source for this cupcake recipe is in a cupcake calendar that I no longer own, so I’m not sure how much of the ground almonds were included. I didn’t use them and the cake was very dense and perfect to my tasting. Maybe you can search the internet for a similar recipe that uses the almonds, or experiment on your own. I would start with probably a teaspoon.
-Nikki
Princessa says
February 21, 2010 at 8:03 AMSorry for the spelling in the above post, I’m typing with 2 broken fingers
kelsey says
February 26, 2010 at 2:58 PMomfg..i m at skool rite now nd i m starving this picture juss makes me wanna eat them everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous says
May 4, 2010 at 8:54 PMSoooooooooooooooooooo TASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brittany says
July 11, 2010 at 1:50 AMLook beautiful, that’s for sure. But I was wondering what’s the texture like? I’m searching for one that’s very light and fluffy…almost like a mousse. That’s why I thought omitting flour would give me this result.
Pennies on a Platter says
July 11, 2010 at 9:53 PMHi Brittany,
I wouldn’t say that this is light and fluffy. It’s actually kind of dense but extremely delicious! Not anywhere like a mousse.
Nikki
Rebecca says
November 1, 2011 at 7:51 PMI tried these but they didn’t turn out-I baked them for almost 40 minutes but they were still really soft, and it seems like all the butter settled at the bottom of the paper cups! Any idea what might have gone wrong?
Nikki says
November 2, 2011 at 2:11 PMI’m sorry, Rebecca, but baking can sometimes be fickle and there would be no way I could tell you what went wrong. Are you at a higher elevation by any chance?
Amy says
March 8, 2013 at 3:59 AMYeah, these failed miserably for me too. I really wouldn’t recommend anyone waste all these ingredients…
Elisa says
April 3, 2012 at 8:48 PMJust made these tonight. Delicious! Almost like a brownie cupcake. My gluten-free, soy-free friend thanks you!
jo says
July 28, 2012 at 10:25 AMHaving never baked these, they rose then, they baked for 20 mins, after a few they fell, were they suppose to do that
Nikki says
July 28, 2012 at 11:31 AMThey are more flat on top, not puffy.
jo says
July 28, 2012 at 11:58 AMWhat consistency should they be, mine are like moist brownies
Nikki says
July 28, 2012 at 1:22 PMYep, that sounds about right. They are a little more dense and still moist (as stated in the post)… not like regular cake. I would say they are more of a consistency of brownies. 🙂
Nikki says
July 28, 2012 at 1:22 PMYep, that sounds about right. They are a little more dense and still moist (as stated in the post)… not like regular cake. I would say they are more of a consistency of brownies. 🙂
HeatherB says
April 17, 2014 at 3:24 PMthese were fabulous! I have made them twice in the past month. The second time I was running low on eggs and put 2 yolks instead of 4 and added two Tbsp of oil. They were a bit denser and less cakey, but still turned out really well! Very forgiving recipe which I appreciate
Corrie says
April 29, 2014 at 11:04 AMHi, Nikki. These cupcakes tasted really good! The only thing is that they are REALLY moist in the middle. How moist are they supposed to be? A metal fork came out clean, and I had one last night and didn’t get sick, but I’m afraid to give these to other people.
Nikki Gladd says
April 29, 2014 at 11:53 AMHi Corrie, If they are so moist that there is runny batter in the middle, then they need to bake longer. Otherwise, they are a pretty moist cupcake! 🙂
Corrie says
April 29, 2014 at 2:23 PMThank you for the quick response! The centers are not runny, so they should be fine! I already ate three and have not felt sick, so I think they are safe. Thanks again!
Judy Arenstein says
April 23, 2016 at 3:25 PMI made flourless cupcakes for Passover. They were incredible. I did however use a hand mixer to combine melted chic and butter withbthe egg/ sugar mixture. Also wasn’t sure when to add cocoa so added it with choc bits. I used Ghirardelli choc bits. This recipe is a keeper.
Beth Baker says
April 3, 2017 at 6:09 PMCan these be made in mini muffin cups? If so, how long should they be baked for?
Nikki Gladd says
April 5, 2017 at 3:20 PMI haven’t tried mini muffin cups for this recipe, but if you do give it a shot, I would bake for a shorter time. Keep your eye on it. 🙂