PECAN CUPCAKES : Scrumptious!

My mom bought a few bags of assorted nuts for me last month, (Sorry, I know it's an overdue posting!), and so I have macadamia, which I use very often for cheesecakes and cupcakes, pistachio, which I still have no idea what to do with them yet, and my favourite Pecans! What I don't have is a recipe worthy enough for this bag of fresh pecans, so I googled for one. Where else can you find the perfect cupcake recipe but at pecan.com itself! Yep, pecan lovers out there...there is a virtual space for you to share your love for this rich and scrumptious nut.

This is an easy-peasy, fail-proof recipe that combines 2 of your favourite things : Chocolate and Pecans.

INGREDIENTS:
4 (1-oz) squares semisweet chocolate  
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup sugar  
1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans.

FOR TOPPING
Cream Cheese Frosting or Buttercream
Whole Pecans

This recipe makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

Melt butter and chocolate in a pan/pot over a small fire. Stir to combine.

Combine sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla in mixing bowl.

Don't worry about the texture.

Here's a good time to add 1 tsp vanilla extract.

Pour chocolate mixture gently, stirring until batter is smooth.

 Still don't worry about the texture. Now that everything is even...

Pour in the chopped pecans. That is a lot of pecans!

Spoon into cupcake liners. If you're using liners without the rim, you should use double the liners or a muffin tray.

Bake at preheated oven at 325° for 35 minutes.

 Watch them rise...

You'll know when they're ready when the top is slightly cracked, this is afterall, a brownie disguised in a cupcake!

A little closer to see the beautiful crusty top.

Wait for them to cool. Pipe in the cream cheese frosting and top with a whole pecan. I couldn't resist a drizzle of chocolate at the very last minute. I think Butterscotch works well too!

Thanks Melissa for the photo! I was in such a rush, the chocolate drizzle was a last minute 'at the whim' thingy. So glad you were there with your camera. You're such a pro! We shared this after dinner when Uncle John, Melissa and Kathy came visiting. We also packed a dozen of these cupcakes for my nieces.

Thanks Jucy for the cupcake book, will definitely try some of the recipes in there. And for some of you who tried the Sugee cake, THANKS for trying!!! It's good to know that the cakes turned out wonderfully. Do write to let me know if you'll also try this Pecan cupcake recipe. Hugs!