Chocolate and Apricot Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with apricots are a delightful blend of flavors. The sweet and slightly tangy apricots pair excellently with the intensity of the chocolate. Here’s how to prepare these delicious cupcakes.

Ingredients

• 200 g of fresh apricots or in syrup
• 150 g of dark chocolate
• 100 g of butter
• 100 g of granulated sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 80 g of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar (for decoration, optional)

Preparation

1. If you’re using fresh apricots, wash them, cut them in half, and remove the pits. If they are in syrup, drain them well.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a cupcake tin or paper liners.
3. Break the chocolate into pieces and cut the butter into cubes. Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
4. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Gently mix the lukewarm melted chocolate into the egg and sugar mixture.
6. Add the sifted flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, incorporating gently, taking care not to deflate the mixture.
7. Fill the molds or liners halfway, then add a few slices of apricot.
8. Pour the remaining batter into the molds, covering the apricots.
9. Bake the cupcakes for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool on a wire rack and before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Trivia

These cupcakes are perfect both as a dessert at the end of a meal and as a small indulgent break during the day. If you want to enhance the flavor of the apricots even more, you might also flavor the batter with a bit of grated orange zest or a splash of apricot liqueur.

Happy baking and enjoy your meal!