Charcoal Vanilla Cupcakes with Glassy Sugar Garnish

Bulky batch of black vanilla cupcakes using activated charcoal, finished with glassy sugar shards and boxed in white cake boxes for easy c-store packaging.

Prep 30 min · Cook 20 min · Total 50 min · Serves 24 · Beginner

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour (bulk)
• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup Cocoa powder, natural or dutched (unsweetened)
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Fine salt
• 4 Eggs (large)
• 2 cups Buttermilk
• 1 cup Neutral oil
• 2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp Kalustyan's Activated Charcoal Powder 1lb (for color and subtle earthy note)
• 1 tbsp Valrhona Structure Sheet Crystal (to create edible sugar shards for garnish (optional))
• 2 tbsp Water (for dissolving sugar shards if making glassy sugar garnish)
• 1 Evergreen 8" X 8" X 5" White Cake Box (packaging for 6 cupcakes per box; add inserts if needed)
• 2 cups Cream cheese frosting (prepared or bulk mix) (optional; enough to frost all cupcakes)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 24 standard muffin cups with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Add the Activated Charcoal Powder and whisk until even in color.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. Divide batter evenly among cups. Bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. (22 min)
6. Frost cupcakes as desired. If using sugar shards, melt a bit of Structure Crystal in a shallow pan with water (about 2 tbsp water for 1 tbsp crystals) and drape cooled shards over the frosting for a glassy garnish.

Recipe by BoxNCase Test Kitchen for the BoxNCase Chef Network.