Chocolate Olive Oil Cupcakes
This is my classic, romantic and simple version of a decadent chocolate olive oil cake. My version is made as cupcakes and are served with a slightly sweetened vanilla bean whipped cream. I have made this cake several times over the last few years and had to bring it back in cupcake form for the perfect Valentine’s week treat!
Cupcake Ingredients
3/4 cup (180ml) extra-virgin olive oil, more for greasing the pan
1/2 (70g) cup high quality unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup (120ml) boiling water
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups (165g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup of caster sugar (147g) or other superfine sugar
3 large eggs
Maldon flaked sea salt
Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream Ingredients
2 cups of organic heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325°F
Line your muffin pan with a silpat liner or regular cupcake liners. Set aside.
Sift cocoa into a medium bowl and add the boiling water. Whisk vigorously until smooth. Add in vanilla and set aside. *The mixture should be thick and fudge-y but smooth.
In a large bowl sift the flour, baking soda and salt together
Using a stand or hand mixer (paddle attachment) beat the 3 eggs with sugar and slowly add in olive oil. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture it light and fluffy.
Add in your cocoa mixture while the mixer is on low and then turn to medium and combine.
Reduce speed again and slowly add in your flour mixture until JUST combined.
Pour batter into your prepared muffin tins and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester or comes out clean. Sprinkle lightly with maldon flaked sea salt.
Let cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes.
While your cupcakes are cooling, beat the heavy whipping cream, in your standing mix fitted with the whisk attachment, until stiff peaks form. Add in your sugar and vanilla until combined.
Dollop the whipped cream onto your cupcakes. To make whipped cream pink: add a few tablespoons of powdered freeze dried strawberry. Decorate with festive sprinkles or fresh berries!
