Jalapeno Cupcakes!

 I know it sounds a little strange but the luscious dark chocolate cupcakes are filled with a sweet yet slightly hot jalapeno jelly! The jelly I used for these particular cupcakes was homemade but you can definitely use your favorite store bought kind! I also made cowboy candy (candied jalapenos) as a nice little topper... but if that's a little much for you... just omit... But you might be sad you did!

Jalapeno Cupcakes!

 

1/2 cup                       Unsalted butter, room temp
1 and 1/4 cup             Sugar
2                                 Eggs (large), room temp
1 cup                          All-purpose flour
1/2 tsp.                       Baking powder
1/4 tsp.                       Baking soda
1/4 tsp.                       Sea salt (fine)
1/2 cup                       Unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/2 cup                       Whole milk
1 tsp.                          Pure vanilla extract


Pre-heat the oven to 375. Line standard muffin tins with cupcake liners. In a mixer with paddle, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Add eggs one at a time scraping down sides of bowl after each incorporation. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Add flour mixture alternately with milk in three batches. Add vanilla and mix until incorporated. Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners (about 3/4 full). Bake until done (or a toothpick comes out clean).  


Cool completely. Fill cupcakes with jalapeno jelly (create a hole with a piping tip... then use the tip with a piping bag full of jalapeno jelly to fill). 


Lime Frosting:


1/2 cup                Unsalted butter, room temp
8oz package        Cream cheese, room temp
3 and 1/2 cup      Powdered sugar
1                         Lime, juiced


In a mixer with paddle, beat together butter and cream cheese. Add lime juice (and zest if you prefer). Add the powdered sugar slowly until frosting is light and creamy (no lumps! makes for grumps).