RED WINE AND CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Red Wine and Chocolate Cupcakes image

Red wine and chocolate make an amazing pairing, especially in these rich, elegant cupcakes made for my mother's birthday. She adores them! -Candace Cheney, Fort McMurray, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/2 cup baking cocoa
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dry red wine
MASCARPONE ICING:
2 cartons (8 ounces each) mascarpone cheese
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

Place cocoa and chocolate in a small bowl; whisk in boiling water until chocolate is melted and mixture is blended., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with wine and chocolate mixture beating well after each addition. Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full., Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract until creamy. Frost cupcakes. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 19g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 212mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.