Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes

Photo Courtesy of Chef Pandita

Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes + Fun Wine Facts! « Chef Pandita

Chocolate Merlot Cupcakes
[adapted from Boozy Cakes]

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup Merlot
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 ounces dark chocolate, melted

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare two 12-cup cupcake pans.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Mix in eggs, beating well.
Add Merlot.
Whisk dry ingredients together and add to the butter mixture.
Stir in melted chocolate.
Pour into prepared cupcake pans, bake for 20-25 min.
Let cool.
[optional] use this Chocolate Merlot Icing:

Chocolate Merlot Icing

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup Merlot
1 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

In a saucepan over low heat, mix butter and cocoa.
Add Merlot and confectioners’ sugar, stir until smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

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Many thanks Chef Pandita!