Snowman Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, diced into 5 pieces
• 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, 60%, chopped
• 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, recipe here
• 12 marshmallow snowmen, instructions follow

Directions

1. Set the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl, then warm them in the microwave at 50% power in 30 second bursts, stirring between bursts, until the mixture is fully melted and glossy. Set it aside until it is lukewarm, about 10 minutes.
2. In one mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract for about 1 minute. Whisk the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture.
3. Measure the buttermilk in a liquid measuring cup, then whisk in the sour cream. Scatter 1/3 of the flour mixture over the batter and whisk until it comes together. Whisk in 1/2 of the buttermilk mixture, then repeat that same flour-and-buttermilk addition once more. Finish by sprinkling the last 1/3 of the flour mixture over the batter and whisking only until incorporated.
4. Portion the batter evenly into 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 – 20 minutes, until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes rest in the muffin pan for several minutes, then move them to a wire cooling rack.
5. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and place one marshmallow snowman on each cupcake. Depending on how much frosting you want, make 1/2 to 2/3 of the frosting recipe.