Super Bowl (Or Any Day) Chocolate Cupcakes W/Cabernet

twissis's Note:

I'm beginning to think I might need to get a life away from RZ. I had some idle time & decided to Google the net to see what was being suggested as food fare for Super Bowl Day. I found the most intriguing recipe I have seen in some time. This is it & my source is http://home.ivillage.com & Martha Vining was acknowledged. The intro said "Adults love these cupcakes. So make more than you need for 1 event & freeze the rest. Stored in an airtight bag, they should keep up to 2 months." DH & I are NY resolved to limit our sweet treats, so I hope you will be as intrigued as I was, give this recipe a try & enjoy the outcome. (Time does not include time for cupcakes to cool)

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 18

Yield: 18.0 cupcakes

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup cabernet sauvignon wine
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (chopped)
• 2 cups whipped cream (lightly sweetened)
• 1/4 cup dried cherries (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (as garnish) (optional) or 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (as garnish) (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F & prepare muffin pans w/paper baking cups.
2. Into the lrg bowl of an electric mixer, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & cocoa powder.
3. Add oil, vanilla, eggs & wine.
4. Beat w/the electric mixer at low speed for 30 seconds. Turn the mixer speed to high & cont beating for 3 min, scraping the sides occ.
5. Remove the bowl from the mixer & stir in the dried cherries. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pans & bake for 20 min or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. To Serve: Spoon a dollop of whipped cream on the center of the completely cooled cupcakes. Add 5-6 bits of dried fruit & a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder.
7. NOTE: IMHO dried cranberries may well be a good sub for the dried cherries.

Reviews

[Debbb]

This a really different take on chocolate cake! A nice change. Cupcakes were a little dry but the wine did add an element of flavour, as did the cinnamon. Since I couldn't find dried cherries, I served at Sewing Circle spread with a tsp or so of seedless raspberry jam & a dollop of Cool Whip.

[Chef #410710]

These were really different and great... easy to make- I used cherry flavored dried cranberries so I didn't have to chop the cherries first. They looked, smelled and tasted great (to the adults, kids predictably weren't big fans). The only complaint I had is that they turned out just a tad bit dry. But certainly a keeper!

[susie cooks]

You can't go wrong with wine and chocolate! Adding in the cherries makes these cupcakes extra special. You can really taste the wine, and thats a good thing. I followed the directions exactly and they turned out perfect. I am curious to see if they keep for 2 months, but, I do not think they will make it past today. Thanks for a nice easy recipe.