Cupcakes with Truffle Cream Topping

Makes 12 cupcakes

For the cupcakes

1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup crème fraîche, at room temperature

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

¾ cup sugar

For the topping

8 ounces chocolate, coarsely chopped

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons powdered cane sugar

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Make the cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a medium bowl.

Combine the crème fraîche, eggs, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl and whisk

by hand until well mixed.

Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat

on medium speed until the butter is creamy. Add the granulated sugar and beat until

fluffy and pale.

Switch the mixer to low speed. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating

with the wet ingredients in 2 additions.

Using a tablespoon, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling them

about two-thirds full.

Bake on the middle shelf of the oven until the cupcakes are puffed, lightly

browned, slightly cracked on top, and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes

out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack.

When cool, remove the cupcakes, still in their paper liners, from the muffin cups.

Make the topping Put the chocolate in a medium bowl.

Put the cream and powdered sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer

over medium heat. Cook at a simmer for 1 minute and remove from the heat.

Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate. Whisk the mixture by hand until

the chocolate melts. Whisk in the butter, and then the vanilla extract.

Pour into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap so that the wrap is touching the surface,

and refrigerate until it is 70°F (21°C). This will probably take 30 to 40 minutes, but

check after 20 minutes.

When the cream is at the correct temperature, put it into the bowl of the stand

mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat on high speed until the mixture is lighter

in color and less dense.

Put the topping into a pastry bag fitted with a 3/8-inch star tip. Pipe a swirl on the

top center of each cupcake, distributing the topping evenly among them.

Store in a cool place until serving.