Dark Chocolate Cherry Chip Amaretto Brownie Cupcakes with Chocolate Amaretto Cream Cheese Frosting

I didn't forget about Valentine's Day, no really, I didn't. I had meant to share these decadent Dark Chocolate Cherry Chip Amaretto Brownie Cupcakes for Valentine's. Sometimes life gets in the way. I've been struggling with something for a while now, something that one day I may share on this cupcake blog; But now, let's just say, life has been trying and an emotional roller coster. You may have noticed that my cupcakes of late have been fewer and farther in between.

My actual Valentine's was lovely. My husband woke up early and went to the local butchers and picked out two, huge filet mignon steaks. Pan seared in butter, herbs, and spices and topped with a spicy mango chutney it was hands down the best steak I've ever had. The fact that my husband was able to give me a once in a lifetime dinner is not lost on me, I ate every bite of the steak, cheesey-garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. I didn't get a chance to make the Creme Brûlée that I'd been craving, but I don't think I could have eaten another bite anyway.

I did not share my Valentine's cupcake with you then, but I will now. Have you ever had Chocolate and Amaretto? One of my favorite chocolate combinations, the Amaretto enhances the chocolate beautifully. Amaretto is a liqueur produced with bitter almond or apricot seeds and has a distinct almond-cherry flavor. Its recipe secret, we don't know what makes its unique flavor. We do know one thing though, that its name actually derives from 'Amore'-- love. Perfect.




Dark Chocolate Cherry Chip Amaretto Brownie Cupcakes

adapted from Java Cupcake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 cups caster sugar

4 Eggs

1 1/4 cups Dutch processed cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp vanilla extract

8.75 oz all purpose flour

1 cup Nestle Delightfulls Cherry Filled Chocolate Chips

1/2 tsp espresso powder

2 tbsp Amaretto

1. In a medium sized bowl melt butter in the microwave. Add the sugar and microwave the mixture for another 1-2 minutes, just until it’s hot. Stir to combine.
2. In a standing bowl mixer add eggs, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and vanilla extract and mix until combined. 
3. Add the butter mixture to the standing bowl mixer. Mix until just combined.
4. Add flour a bit at a time mixing with a wooden spoon. Batter will be thick. Add chocolate chips.
5. Fill liners to about 3/4 full.

Makes about 20 cupcakes. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until tester comes out with just a bit of crumbs. Set aside to cool completely.

Amaretto Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

1 1/2 packages (12 ounces) cream cheese, slightly softened 

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla bean paste

2 tbsp Amaretto
3-4 cups powdered sugar
salt to taste

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream cheese and softened butter.
2. Add vanilla, extract and salt. Mix well.
3. Add as much powdered sugar to get desired consistency. Mix well.

Place in piping bag and chill until ready to frost cupcakes. Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before using or you it will melt and make one sloppy cupcake.