Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 4. Take two 12-hole muffin trays and line 16 of the holes with paper muffin cases.

Step 2

Melt the chocolate, butter and sugar together in a large heatproof bowl (make sure it’s large, as you will eventually add everything else to this bowl, too). Ideally, do this in a microwave on medium heat for 1 minute at a time, stirring at each interval, until all melted together.

Step 3

Alternatively, place the bowl over a pan of simmering (not boiling) water until the chocolate is melted and the ingredients are amalgamated. Allow to cool slightly.

Step 4

Whisk the whole eggs and yolks, soured cream and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl.

Sift the flour and cocoa into a bowl and mix with a spoon until combined.

Step 5

Add the egg mixture to the melted chocolate mixture and stir together with a spoon until amalgamated.

Step 6

Gently fold in the flour mixture until all the dry flour and cocoa has been incorporated into the wet ingredients.

Step 7

Spoon into the paper cases, around half full. Bake for 15–20 minutes until just firm. Test with a sharp knife to ensure they are cooked through. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack. Once cool, decorate as required.

Step 8

To make the ganache, place all the ingredients together in a microwave-proof bowl and microwave on medium for 1 minute. Stir the mixture, then put back in the microwave and repeat the process until all the ingredients are melted together. Alternatively, you can place all the ingredients in a pan and heat gently, stirring often, until melted together.

Step 9

Leave to cool slightly. The ganache is now ready to use.

Step 10

To make the decoration, you will need a small amount of chocolate ganache in a piping bag with a No. 3 nozzle, 16 large chocolate-paste roses in bright multi-colours or chocolate shades if you prefer (alternatively, 16 sugar snowflakes cut from caramel-coloured petal paste with a plunger cutter, decorated with gold lustre dust or spray – great for Christmas!)

Step 11

Make sure that once you have poured the chocolate ganache covering over your cupcakes, you leave them to set for a few hours, otherwise the decorations may sink into the topping.

Step 12

When the ganache cake covering is set, pipe a small pearl of chocolate ganache onto the centre of each cupcake.

Step 13

Attach the chocolate roses or snowflakes to finish.

Step 14

Display on a large platter and serve as dessert at your party, or scoff them all by yourself.

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