Chocolate Meringue Cupcakes

WOW!!!!

Alright, had to get that out there. Now, on with the recipe! So, my friend is a huge Giada De Laurentiis fan, she saw her making this recipe so we HAD to try it! The nice thing is that you have probably everything in your pantry already. (Always a plus with me when I am cooking/baking)

Cupcakes:

• 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted (best to use double boiler)
• 1/4 cup cake flour
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature

Topping:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

For the cupcakes: arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 24-count mini-muffin pan with 1.25-inch diameter paper liners and set aside. (we used regular sized cupcake pan/paper liners and it turned out fine.

In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg yolks, vegetable oil, 1/3 cup of the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, at high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in the melted chocolate chips and stir until smooth (mixture will be thick).

In a separate bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. With the machine running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 2 minutes. Stir 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture. Using a spatula, fold the remaining egg white mixture. In batches, sift the flour over the batter and fold it in using a spatula. Fill each paper liner to the top with batter and bake for 12 minutes until puffed. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

For the topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted chocolate chips and oil. Stir until smooth.

Using a fork, drizzle the chocolate mixture over the cupcakes. 

 I ate them both warm and cold....it doesn't matter, these beats are amazing. I almost feel like Dr. Seuss, I will eat them cold, I will eat them warm, I will eat them here, I will eat them there, I will eat them anywhere LOL.