Chocolate Kiss Cupcake

My niece had a talent show in her class and she decided to showcase her baking skills. She approached me to assist her and we used this "Better Than Sex Cupcake" recipe I found in the internet. (I forgot the source. I'll look it up again and post the source to give proper recognition. My apologies.) But to make it appropriate for 9 year old kids we called it "Chocolate Kiss Cupcakes" instead. hee hee!

1/2 c butter, room temperature
1-1/4 c sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature

3/4 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c milk
1 t vanilla extract
24 pcs Hershey's Kisses

1. Beat butter until soft. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cocoa in a separate bowl.
3. Combine milk and vanilla in another bowl.
4. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture until combined. Then add 1/2 of milk mixture and combine. Add the remaining flour mixture alternating with the milk mixture ending with the dry ingredients.
5. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius.
6. In a lined cupcake pan, put a tablespoon of the mixture then drop a Hershey's Kisses on the middle then top with another tablespoon of  the cake batter. Make sure the kisses are covered and the cups are only 3/4 full.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 15 - 18 minutes or until the tester inserted comes out clean.

You can substitute the Kisses with chocolate chips or any other chocolate pieces that you like. I also topped it with bittersweet ganache. To make ganache, heat heavy cream in a pan, once it starts to boil, turn off heat then pour over bittersweet chocolate. I added 2 tablespoonfuls of confectioner's sugar to get the right consistency for icing. Finally, I dusted a bit of confectioner's sugar to give it a little warmth.

Her teacher was impressed with her presentation and her classmates loved her cupcakes! She was given an A++! And her classmates gave the cupcakes two thumbs up!