BROWNIE CUPCAKES A LA MODE

Brownie Cupcakes a la Mode image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h50m

Yield 12 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 1/4 sticks (5 ounces) unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
2/3 cup boiling water
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup prepared hot fudge sauce
2 tablespoons rainbow colored sprinkles
12 jarred maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line one 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, combine the butter, cocoa powder and chocolate. Pour the boiling water over and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth, and then whisk in the sugar, vanilla and eggs. Whisk in the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda until just combined. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Divide the batter among the prepared liners so they are about three-quarters full.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool in the tins 5 minutes, and then cool completely on a wire rack.
While the cupcakes bake and cool, scoop 12 small scoops of ice cream onto a large plate or baking sheet and place in the freezer until hard.
To assemble, scoop off a small piece of the cupcake to make a concave top, and then top each cupcake with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle the ice cream with hot fudge, and top with some sprinkles and a cherry.