Bittersweet Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz 
    60% cocoa bittersweet chocolate, divided
  • 2 cups 
    Unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp. 
    Baking soda
  • ½ tsp. 
    Baking powder
  • ½ tsp. 
    Salt
  • ½ cup 
    Butter, softened
  • ¾ cup 
    BeeMaid honey
  • 2 large 
    Eggs
  • 1 cup 
    Buttermilk
  • ½ pint 
    Raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F.
1. Cut 2 ounces of chocolate into 18 pieces; set aside. Place 6 ounces of coarsely chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high; stir well. Microwave 30 seconds more on high and stir until all lumps are gone. If more melting is necessary, microwave in 10 second increments and stir until all lumps are gone. Chocolate should not become too warm.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy. Add honey and melted chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time.
4. Add half of the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix on low until just combined. With mixer running on low, slowly add the buttermilk. Add remaining dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Place a Tablespoon of batter in the bottom of each paper-lined muffin tin. Add one piece of chocolate and 2 to 3 raspberries to each cup. Fill muffin tins two-thirds full with remaining batter. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack; cool. Frost with Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting, if desired.

Recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board