Yum Alert! SpeculUa Cupcake

This yummy cupcake combines Speculoos, chocolate AND Kahlua; we should call it the Trifecta rather than SpeculUa Cupcake.  Here is how you can wow your guests with this delicious treat:

YIELD: Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

• 1 cup (4.5 ounces) all purpose flour
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (7.3 ounces) sugar
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and warm
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoon instant coffee granules (recommended: Starbucks Via)
• 1/2 cup Kahlua

SPECULOOS FROSTING

• 5 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 sticks unsalted butter, diced and softened
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup of Speculoos spread

CHOCOLATE POURING SAUCE

• 2/3 cups dark chocolate
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
• 4-5 tablespoons water, warm

Directions:

PREPARATION

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

TO MAKE CUPCAKE

1. Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. 
2. Add in the butter, eggs, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for one minute. 
3. Add the instant coffee granules and half of the Kahlua into the mixture and beat for 20 seconds. 
4. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add remaining Kahlua. 
5. Beat for 20-30 seconds until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin enough to pour. Divide it evenly among the lined cups. 
6. Bake 18-22 minutes just until a toothpick inserted into a few of the cupcakes comes out clean. 
7. Set the pan on a rack to cool. 
8. Frost the cupcakes when they are completely cool.
9. TIP: For light tender cupcakes, spoon flour and cocoa lightly into measuring cups (instead of dipping the cups into the flour or cocoa) and then sweep the measures level without tapping or shaking them.

TO MAKE CHOCOLATE POURING SAUCE

1. Place chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl over simmering water. 
2. Let chocolate and cream sit for 2-3 minutes to melt without stirring. 
3. Then slowly stir mixture to combine. 
4. Add powdered sugar and mix to combine. 
5. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until pouring consistency is reached. 
6. Remove 5 tablespoons and place reserve in a separate bowl. 
7. Set aside all chocolate pouring sauce to cool until warm.

TO MAKE FROSTING

1. Combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl placed over simmering water. 
2. Bring mixture to 160 degrees F while whisking constantly.
3. Transfer mixture to stand mixer bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium high speed (speed 8 on a KitchenAid stand mixer)until mixture cools and doubles in volume and forms stiff peaks; about 10-12 minutes.
4. Add butter in one piece at a time, mixing to incorporate after each addition. The mixture may appear clumpy and almost curdled looking-this is normal. Keep mixing and it will become even and smooth again. 
5. Add salt and vanilla and mix to combine. 
6. Add in Speculoos and mix until well combined. 
7. Add reserved chocolate pouring sauce into frosting. 
8. Using a spatula gently fold it into the frosting, DO NOT over mix so that chocolate streaks remain.

ASSEMBLY

1. Cut Skor or Heath bars into shard shapes; set aside. 
2. Finely chop any left over crumbs.
3. Fill pastry bag with a round tip. 
4. Hold pastry bag at 90 degrees above the cupcake and starting from the perimeter pipe inward and upward.
5. Using a spoon drizzle chocolate on top of frosting. 
6. Sprinkle Skor crumbs on chocolate. 
7. Insert Skor shards into top of frosting.

Speculoos spread can be found buy shopping online here.

Speculoos Cupcakes with Speculoos Buttercream

Photo and Recipe by PickyPalate

Craving for some pancakes? This well love treats is yours, follow recipe below:

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup Speculoos spread

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Buttercream

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup Speculoos spread

4-5 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and line a muffin tin with cupcake paper liners.

2. Place flour, sugar, salt and baking soda into a large bowl, mix to combine. Set aside.

3. In a stand or electric mixer, place oil, sour cream, Speculoos spread, eggs and vanilla into the bowl. Mix on medium speed until well combined. Slowly add dry ingredients until well combined, about 30 seconds. With a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop batter into prepared cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until cooked through. Remove and let cool completely.

4. While cakes are cooling, prepare buttercream. Place butter and Speculoos spread into bowl of stand or electric mixer. Beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar until thick and creamy. Add milk until desired consistency. Frost on cooled cupcakes. Serve room temperature or chilled.

Makes 12 cupcakes