Chocolate Fudge Ancho Cupcakes with Hibiscus Buttercream Frosting

Recipe from McCormick

Ingredients (makes 12 cupcakes):

Chocolate Fudge Ancho Cupcakes:

• 1 1/4 cups flour, divided

• 1 tablespoon McCormick Gourmet™ Chile Pepper, Ancho

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate

• 6 tablespoons butter

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

• 2 eggs

• 3/4 cup water

Hibiscus Buttercream Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 1 tablespoon finely ground dried hibiscus flowers

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. For the Cupcakes, mix 1/2 cup of the flour, ancho chile pepper and baking soda in small bowl. Set aside. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in granulated sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually beat in ancho-flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Add remaining 3/4 cup flour alternately with water, beating until well blended after each addition

2. Spoon batter into 12 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full

3. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely

4. For the Hibiscus Buttercream Frosting, beat butter and hibiscus flowers in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add water; beat until light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes with Hibiscus Buttercream Frosting