Chocolate Cupcakes With Neapolitan Frosting Food

NEAPOLITAN CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with paper liners.
• For the chocolate cupcakes: In a medium bowl, cream together both sugars and the oil. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. Set aside.
• For the strawberry cupcakes: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar and gelatin. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla. Combine the cake flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the milk and strawberries until the batter is smooth. Set aside.
• For the vanilla cupcakes: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. Set aside
• Use a miniature cupcake scooper and scoop all three batters into the cupcake liner. First scoop the chocolate batter, second the strawberry batter and third the vanilla batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The cupcakes are done when they spring back to the touch. Let cool.
• For the chocolate frosting: In a small bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave starting at 30 seconds and stir. Melt in increments of 30 seconds as needed so that you do not burn or overheat the chocolate.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, melted chocolate and vanilla until mixed well. Then add the confectioners' sugar.
• For the strawberry frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add the confectioners' sugar and strawberry extract.
• For the vanilla frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract.
• To assemble: After all the cupcakes have cooled, frost each cupcake in the same order you placed the batter (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla).

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together the buttermilk, coffee, oil, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl.
• Pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape down the bowl then add the remaining wet ingredients and beat to combine. Scrape down the bowl and paddle. Increase the speed to medium and beat for a full minute.
• Fill the prepared cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• For the frosting: Melt the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over simmering water in a medium saucepan. Remove from the simmering water and let it cool until room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, drizzle in the melted chocolate and beat until completely blended. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Decoratively pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.

SIMPLE NEAPOLITAN CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place white paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• Make cake mix as directed on box for cupcakes, using water, oil and egg whites and adding almond extract and vanilla. Pour half of batter into small bowl; stir in cocoa and chocolate chips. Divide chocolate batter evenly among muffin cups. Carefully spoon white batter evenly over chocolate batter.
• Bake as directed. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and whipping cream with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and spreadable. Gradually stir in strawberries, a few tablespoons at a time. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Frost cupcakes. Store in refrigerator.

NEAPOLITAN CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place white paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• Make cake mix as directed on box for cupcakes, using water, oil and egg whites and adding almond extract and vanilla. Pour half of batter into small bowl; stir in cocoa and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Divide chocolate batter evenly among muffin cups. Carefully spoon white batter evenly over chocolate batter.
• Bake as directed on box. Cool 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Frost cupcakes with a layer of chocolate frosting, white frosting and strawberry frosting. Decorate with candy sprinkles and additional chocolate chips.