Dried fruit is the secret to moist low-fat baked goods. These cupcakes have such a rich, chocolaty flavor, you would never know there were dates in the batter if you hadn't baked them yourself.
Cupcakes can be made and cooled (but not dusted with sugar) 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe information
Total Time
1 1/4 hour
Yield
Makes 12 cupcakes (or 4 servings)
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Step 2
Bring water and dates just to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, then transfer mixture to a food processor and add cocoa powder and chocolate, pulsing once to combine. Let cool 2 minutes, then add brown sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, then purée until smooth. Add flour and pulse just until incorporated.
Step 3
Spray muffin cups with cooking spray. (If pan is not nonstick, line sprayed bottoms with rounds of wax paper, then spray paper.) Spoon batter into cups, dividing it evenly, and bake in middle of oven until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack (remove wax paper, if using) and cool completely, right side up. Just before serving, sprinkle tops lightly with confectioners sugar.
Nutrition Per Serving
Recipe notes
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