This month's AlphaBakes letter is "I" which is a slightly tricky letter. Last time round I made Italian biscotti and I'm afraid I've gone for the same use of I with these Italian espresso cupcakes with a hazelnut centre. The cupcakes are light and you can clearly taste the coffee. My colleague bought me some packs of Giotto from Germany which are very similar to Ferrero Rochers. I put one in the centre of the cupcake which stayed whole and gave a slightly nutty flavour to the cupcakes. I also put one on top for decoration.
As mentioned I'm entering these to AlphaBakes hosted by Caroline from Caroline Makes this month and by myself on alternate months. The letter this month is I for Italian espresso (brewed in my Italian coffee pot!)
Italian coffee and Giotto - hazelnut cream filled balls
Place one Giotto in the centre before baking 
Perfect with a cup of coffee Makes 12 cupcakes
For the cupcakes
175g unsalted butter
175g light brown sugar
3 large eggs
175g self-raising flour
4 tablespoons Italian espresso brewed in an Italian coffee pot
12 Giotto (you can use Ferrero Rochers instead)
2 - 3 teaspoons Italian espresso
350g icing sugar, sifted
For the icing
150g unsalted butter, at room temperature2 - 3 teaspoons Italian espresso
350g icing sugar, sifted
To decorate
12 Giotto
cocoa powder for dusting
- Brew a pot of Italian espresso (or use instant espresso) and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 180C.
- Place 12 cupcake liners in a cupcake tray.
- Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
- Add in the coffee.
- Stir in the flour and mix well.
- Divide the batter evenly between 12 cupcake cases.
- Place 1 Giotto ball in the centre of each cupcake - there's no need to cover it as it will sink as the cake bakes.
- Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
- To make the icing, beat the icing sugar and butter together for a few minutes.
- Add in the coffee and continue mixing until smooth.
- Pipe the buttercream on top of the cooled cupcake.
- Dust with cocoa powder and place a Giotto ball on top.
Look absolutely delicious:))
ReplyDeleteThese look great - both cute and professional at the same time! I remember eating Giotto when I lived in Germany, great idea to use it in a cake and lovely entry for Alphabakes!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Giotto before and you know me - I'll try to incorporate anything into a cake or bake!!
DeleteI think these are right up Mr CC's street - when he's been good I might make them for him!
ReplyDeleteha ha I'm sure he'll be very good if he knows he can get these!
DeleteLove the idea of putting the chocolates in the middle and how amazing that they stayed in one piece. I'm a bit stumped for AB this month and can't seem to get passed I for Icing - sigh!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it stayed in one piece. Not many recipes for "I" so no worries, maybe next month!
DeleteEspresso, hazelnut and cupcake - that's what I call 3in1 dessert, really looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh yes please. They look so very, very inviting.
ReplyDeleteSending one over :)
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