Chocolate and Apricot Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with apricots are a delicious combination of flavors. Sweet and slightly tangy apricots pair perfectly with the intensity of chocolate. Here’s how to prepare these delicious cupcakes.

Ingredients

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

Preparation

1. If using fresh apricots, wash them, cut in half and remove the pit. If in syrup, drain well.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and prepare a cupcake pan or paper liners.
3. Chop the chocolate and cut the butter into cubes. Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
4. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add the melted lukewarm chocolate to the egg and sugar mixture, stirring gently.
6. Add the sifted flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt, and incorporate gently, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
7. Fill the molds or liners about halfway, then add some apricot slices.
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, dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Trivia

These cupcakes are perfect both as an after-dinner dessert and as a small indulgent break during the day. If you want to enhance the flavor of the apricots even more, you could also flavor the batter with some grated orange zest or a touch of apricot liqueur.

Happy baking and enjoy!