Mini Tree Cupcakes

(for the brownie cupcakes)

 ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into 1" pieces

1¼ cups sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

⅓ cup all-purpose flour

(for the frosting)

1 1/3 cups heavy cream

2.3 oz. vanilla pudding mix

3 T powdered sugar

(for the topping & filling)

strawberries & confetti

[how to make]

(for the brownie cupcakes) 

*Preheat oven to 325°F. Line mini-mufflin tin with paper cups.

*Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let cool slightly.

* Whisk sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium bowl to combine. 

*Pour butter in a steady stream into dry ingredients, whisking constantly to blend. 

*Whisk in vanilla. 

*Add eggs one at a time, beating vigorously to blend after each addition.

* Add flour and stir until just combined (do not overmix). 

*Scrape batter into prepared pan.

*Bake until top begins to crack and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 25-30 minutes.

*Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool completely in pan. 

(for the frosting)

*Pour the heavy cream to a cold mixing bowl.

*Using a mixer, whip cream for a few minutes until soft peaks form.

*Add the powdered sugar and continue to mix on high.

*Just before getting solid peaks, add the pudding mix.

*Lower to a slow speed and  continue to mix.　

*When the frosting starts coming together, stop the mixer.

(for the assembly)

.*Put the frosting into the decorating bag with a metal tip.

*Place one small strawberry on each cupcake and pipe frosting around it to form a tree shape.

*Decorate the frosting tree with your favorite confetti.

-makes 16-

Note: The brownie recipe comes from  "The Bon Appetit Test Kitchen".