Chocolate-Orange Beer Cupcakes

The decadence from the cocoa paired with the brightness from the orange zest make these cupcakes a force to be reckoned with.

• 6 oz of either stout or porter beer
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup 2% plain yogourt
• Zest of 1 orange
• Whipped cream (to garnish)
• Chocolate shavings (to garnish)
• Raspberries and persimmons (to garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare a cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. Combine the beer and butter in a pot over low heat.
3. When the butter is melted, whisk in the cocoa and set the pot aside to cool.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cardamom. Set it aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs, vanilla, yogourt and zest until smooth.
6. Add the cooled beer mixture in a slow drizzle, and stir until combined.
7. Next, mix in the dry ingredients , and let the mixture rest for 20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350˚F.
8. Spoon the rested batter into the prepared cupcake pan, and bake the cupcakes for 17 to 20 minutes.
9. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack.
10. When cool, decorate with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and fruit.