Now that the weather has switched from 50°F and magical to icy and gray 'round these parts, hanging out inside and making delicious treats that warm up the house sounds like the best plan. Whether you're making resolutions (I suggest the Taco Cleanse!) or forgoing the idea entirely, because a little indulgence now and then is healthy. Meet Maple Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Covered Figs.
I made all sorts of baked goods and candy over the holidays, but stopping to photograph everything instantly turns into work, even if I love the work I do! We all need some kind of break sometimes so instead of sharing that stuff, I'm moving right along to those cupcakes.
This cupcake is a little bit grown up with figs and maple syrup, but at the core, it's a good chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and more chocolate. The base is a chocolate maple cupcake with a maple fig filling, then it's topped with maple buttercream and a chocolate covered fig.
"But Kelly, that's a fuckton of maple syrup and maple syrup is expensive!" I know, right? You can replace half of the syrup in the filling and/or cake with brown sugar and as a result, you still get some maple flavor (supplement with maple extract for more flavor, and a couple teaspoons of water for moisture). But if you happen to have a giant stock of maple syrup, you can then create the most maple-y maple flavor by using the full amount.
📖 Recipe
Maple Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Covered Figs
Maple chocolate cupcakes filled with fig compote and topped with maple buttercream and chocolate covered figs.
Ingredients
Fig Filling
- ⅔ cup dried figs, finely chopped (about 6 figs)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Cupcakes
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ¾ cup non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Covered Figs
- 6 figs
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening or oil
Frosting
- ⅓ cup non-dairy margarine
- ⅓ cup vegetable shortening
- 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon maple extract, optional
Instructions
For the fig filling:
- Combine figs, water, and maple syrup in a small saucepan.
- Cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring and mashing the figs occasionally until they form a thick, jam-like paste.
- The figs will soak up a lot of water, so add more water if necessary. Set aside and let cool.
For the maple chocolate cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Combine the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a stand mixer or mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the canola oil, milk, lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
- Using a cupcake scoop, fill each cupcake liner a little more than halfway.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the tops of the cupcakes are firm and a toothpick comes out clean, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
For the chocolate covered figs:
- Cut the stems off each fig, and slice each one in half. Line a cookie sheet or large plate with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate and shortening or oil in the microwave or on the stovetop using a double boiler method.
- Dip each fig half in the chocolate, then transfer to the parchment-lined sheet with a fork.
- Let cool at room temperature, then pop in the fridge to let the chocolate set.
For the frosting:
- Cream together the margarine and shortening in a stand mixer or with hand beaters.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, sifting as you go.
- Once half the powdered sugar is mixed in, start gradually drizzling in the maple syrup. Mix until completely incorporated, then beat the frosting for 6-8 minutes.
- Add the maple extract, if using.
- Add more powdered sugar or maple syrup reduction to adjust the consistency of the frosting if necessary.
To assemble the cupcakes:
- Poke a hole in the center of each cupcake, then fill each one with 2-3 teaspoons of fig filling.
- Spread or pipe on the maple frosting, then garnish with a chocolate-covered fig half.
- Finally, drizzle on a small amount of maple syrup before serving, if desired.
Notes
- You can replace the 3 tablespoons maple syrup with ½ teaspoon maple extract if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 472Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 2gSugar: 58gProtein: 3g
All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on seitanbeatsyourmeat.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates.
Enjoy the beginning of 2016, and those Maple Chocolate Cupcakes!
Also, I have a New Year's sale going on in my cookbook and food photography shop, SHOP | kelly peloza photo! Everything is 25% through the end of the week, which includes signed copies of Cheers to Vegan Sweets, matted food photography prints, greeting cards, zines, and magnets. If you've been eyeing anything or are in need of gift, now is the time!
Enter "SHOPSMALL2016" to take 25% off your purchase at checkout.
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June @ How to Philosophize with Cake
Chocolate fig sounds like a great cupcake flavor! Wish I had one of those with my coffee right now 🙂
Kelly Peloza
They would be great with coffee! Especially if you go light on the buttercream so everything isn't *too* overwhelming. 🙂