Gingerbread Cupcakes with Black Licorice Frosting

Name: Gingerbread Cupcakes with Black Licorice Frosting
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H35M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H5M0.000S
Yield: 16 very large cupcakes
Ingredients: Nonstick spray; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon ground ginger; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup molasses; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature; Zest of 1 orange; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 large egg yolks, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk, warm; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 14 ounces organic black licorice, preferably Panda brand, 7 ounces finely chopped; 1 cup granulated sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 12 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

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These cupcakes are edible art, innovative, sassy and sweet. How often can you create a delicious architectural masterpiece that's creative, fun and with big flavors? These will add sparkle to any party.

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 5 min

Prep: 30 min
Cook: 35 min

Yield: 16 very large cupcakes

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 5 min

Prep: 30 min
Cook: 35 min

Yield: 16 very large cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

Nonstick spray

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder

1 tablespoon ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup molasses

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

Zest of 1 orange

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 large egg yolks, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup whole milk, warm

2 teaspoons baking soda

Black Licorice Frosting:

14 ounces organic black licorice, preferably Panda brand, 7 ounces finely chopped

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

12 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray the cupcake tins with nonstick spray and line with cupcake liners.
Sift the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, cloves and pepper. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on medium speed, cream the molasses, sugar, butter, and orange zest until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the eggs, egg yolks and vanilla on low speed one by one. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture at low speed and mix until just incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
Remove the bowl from the mixer. Whisk together the milk and baking soda and fold into the cupcake batter.
Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool, about 15 minutes. Unmold and cool completely before frosting.
For the black licorice frosting: Bring a small pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
Place the 7 ounces of chopped licorice in a small heat-proof bowl with 4 ounces of water. Place over the pot of hot water, lower to a simmer. Stir until the licorice looks like thin smooth paste.
Whisk together the sugar and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer. Bring the pot of water back to a boil, lower to simmer, and place the bowl of sugar and eggs on top. Clip an instant-read thermometer and whisk until the thermometer reads 160 degrees F.
Remove the pot from the heat, place the bowl on the mixer with the whip attachment, whip on high speed until very thick, 5 to 6 minutes. Continue whipping while adding 1 tablespoon at a time of butter. Add the salt (you can add the salt before you start adding the eggs). The frosting will be thick and fluffy.
Add the softened licorice paste, one tablespoon at a time until all is incorporated. The frosting will have tiny licorice flecks - don't be scared, its suppose to look that way.
Frost the cupcakes once they are completely cool. Place licorice pieces on top. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container. These are best eaten the same day, but no more than 2 days.