St-Jean-Baptiste Chocolate Cupcakes

Today is Quebec's National Holiday. It's the Fete de la St-Jean. Too bad it's rainy and grey! Every city in Quebec celebrates with parades, shows and activities for the kids.

Since any holiday is a good reason to bake. I baked these chocolate muffins yesterday to celebrate Quebec!


Added a bit of blue food color to make it more festive!

Chocolate Cupcakes
(Big Book of Cupcakes)
24 cupcakes (made about 19 big ones)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup hot water
2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
3/4 cup shortening (used canola oil)
1 1/2 cup sugar (used 1 1/4 cup)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Hat oven to 350F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffins cups.

In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder; set aside. In small bowl, mix hot water and cocoa until dissolved; set aside.

In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. On low speed, alternatively add flour mixture, about 1/3 of mixture at a time, and cocoa mixture, about 1/2 at a time, beating just until blended.

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filing each about 2/3 full.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks to cool. Frost with desired frosting.




Made a buttercream frosting and tinted it blue.




Bonne St-Jean!