The chocolate beasties hit me late last night. You know, that insane craving for chocolate that just WON'T quit. I even made sure I took my magnesium in the morning (most food cravings are tied to a nutrient deficiency) and it just wouldn't go away. None of my normal chocolate recipes sounded appetizing so I started pulling things out & came up with these mouthwatering Chocolate Ovaltine Cupcakes!

I started with my basic chocolate cupcake recipe (you can use 1 cup of canola or vegetable oil, but I prefer the applesauce & safflower oil) and added a cup of coffee because coffee and chocolate go together so well! Something was still missing and then LIGHTBULB…Ovaltine!

I also modified a buttercream frosting I found online because it was too runny for my taste. I like a thicker frosting, but you can check out her recipe and see which works best for you! Use a piping bag (or cut the end off a ziplock bag) and your favorite icing tip and decorate however you want.

Ovaltine Chocolate Cupcakes & Frosting

Ingredients

Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup rich chocolate Ovaltine
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup oil (I normally use safflower or olive oil)
1 cup strong hot coffee
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup half n half
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Frosting:

3 sticks salted butter (softened)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup rich chocolate Ovaltine

Instructions

Cupcakes

For cupcakes, sift together dry ingredients and set aside.
In mixer, combing applesauce, oil, coffee, half-n-half, vanilla and sour cream. Mix on low 30 seconds.
Slowly add in dry mixture and mix on low until incorporated.
Add in eggs, one at a time, and mix just until combined.
Pour batter into lined cupcake tins 2/3 of the way full.
Bake at 350 for 10-13 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

For frosting, put room temperature butter in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
Sift in cocoa powder and powdered sugar, mixing and taking care not to leave lumps.
Add vanilla & mix.
In a different bowl, mix Ovaltine and heavy cream.
Slowly add to butter mixture.
Beat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until frosting slightly lightens in color.
Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.