Grown-up Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups plain flour
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 cup good-quality cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbs rum
• 200g dark chocolate
• 1 cup cream
• Gold leaf*, to decorate

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and place the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl. Add 1/2 tsp salt and stir to combine.
2. Place buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla and rum in a separate jug then mix into the dry ingredients. Beat well to combine.
3. Line a muffin pan with paper muffin cases and divide mixture between them. Bake for 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Meanwhile, place chocolate and cream in a bowl over simmering water until chocolate melts. Set aside to cool slightly. Use an electric beater to beat until smooth. Spread over cupcakes and top with gold leaf.