Recipe by Joanne Chang, flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery + Cafe

The ability to produce a good chocolate cupcake is something even a novice baker can accomplish. Still, we are trying to improve our skills, always, and create a memorable masterpiece that is a cut above. If you are familiar with Joanne Chang, you’ll know that “good” is hardly acceptable! After all, she is one of the most accomplished bakers in the world, and her recipes and methods leave no room for improvement. A cornerstone cupcake such as this provides you with an opportunity to surprise everyone who takes a bite, and leave them wanting more, and asking you for the recipe.

These chocolate cupcakes attain perfection. The cake is a decadent chocolate experience, and the frosting is meringue-based, not too sweet, with a light and fluffy texture. Meringue based frostings are becoming my go-to, even though they are a little more work than regular buttercream, but well worth it. That will become clear to you the first time you try this brilliant recipe.

Joanne Chang is the owner and pastry chef at Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston, Massachusetts. I’m fortunate enough to live within easy walking distance of one of her famous establishments, and I take advantage of this every chance I get!