Sweet 16 Chocolate Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for my youngest son's sister.  She turns 16 on Tuesday.  Do you remember 16?  Do you even WANT to remember?  Well, it's been a long while - uhhheemmm, too long.  Sweet 16 birthday cupcakes, yummy, yummy, yummy - I hope she doesn't go into a chocolatey, chocolate comatose.  Happy Birthday Gia!

Ingredients:

For cake (adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe):
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 cup hot water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 sticks salted butter, softened
2 1/4 cup sugar
4 large eggs, room temp
1 tbsp + 1 tsp pure vanila extract
1 cup sour cream, room temp
1 batch Martha Stewart Chocolate Frosting
1 batch chocolate filling
2 oz shaved white chocolate for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350F, line standard cupcake tin with paper liners
2. Whisk cocoa and hot water until smooth
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt
4. Melt butter with sugar in saucepan over medium low, stirring to combine.  Remove from heat, and pour into mixing bowl
5. Beat mixture on medum-low speed until mixture cools
6. Add eggs,one at a time, scrape down sides when necessary.  Add vanilla, cocoa mixture an beat until combined
7. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with sour cream, and beating until just combined afte each addition
8. Bake 18-20 min, cool before filling and frosting

For Martha Stewart Chocolate Frosting:
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
6 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 1/2 stick butter, softened
9 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
3/4 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Sift together sugar, cocoa, and salt
2. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth
3. Gradually add sugar and cocoa mixture, beat until combined
4. Pour in chocolate in a slow and steady stream
5. Add sour cream and beat well

For Chocolate Filling:
8 oz fine quality semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used half and half)
1/8 cup corn syrup

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in sauce pan
2. Stir over medium-low heat until combined
3. cool for 5 minutes before filling cupcakes

Everyone is officially in a chocolate induced coma.  Time for a nap!