Christmas Tree Chocolate Cupcakes - Easy recipe video

It's that time of the year when calories don't count and festive chocolate cupcakes make you popular with both family and friends! Rich chocolate cupcakes with a creamy white chocolate centre and vanilla frosting decorated to look (a bit) like a Christmas tree. Happy Holidays!

These cupcakes are actually really simple to make and taste amazing! This recipe will make you 24 cupcakes/muffins.

The Nutella is optional but a delicious extra. Swap out the white chocolate ganache centre for Nutella for a lovely hazelnut surprise.

**Bake on 180C (fan)/400F/GM6 for 18 minutes**

YOU WILL NEED- in grams and cups

Cake:

• 3tablespoons warm nutella
• 360g - 3cups self raising flour
• 175ml - 3/4cup oil
• 375ml - 1.5cups milk
• 180g - 1.5cup cocoa powder
• 3eggs
• 375ml - 1.5cups hot water
• 450g - 2cups white sugar
• 1teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract
• 200g - 1cup soft brown sugar

Ganache filling:

• 200g - 1cup -7oz white chocolate
• 130g - 2/3cup double/heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1lb - 450g icing sugar
• 200g - 7/8cup butter or marg
• 1 teaspoon milk

1. In a large bowl, mix all the wet ingredients
2. In a large bowl sift and mix the dry ingredients
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk or fork until well incorporated
4. Pour into cake wrappers and bake at 180C for 18 minutes then allow to cool
5. To make the ganache, heat cream, chocolate and vanilla in the microwave at 30sec intervals stirring between each time until smooth - don't allow to over heat
6. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before using
7. Make a small hole in the top of the cupcake and fill with ganache
8. To make the frosting, add all the ingredients into a mixer and mix until light and fluffy, colour as desired
9. Pipe a swirl on the cupcake and decorate as desired

Decorations and food colour as desired