"Chocolate" Cupcakes

Does September Fools exist? If it does then these cupcakes are the perfect prank. They look so innocently chocolatey with a chocolate ganache icing that you would never expect them to taste something as odd as pandanus and peppermint. Imagine giving them to someone, would he ever expect those flavors instead of chocolate? They will surely be surprised [and a bit dissappointed].

You could also make different flavors to add more unpredictability. If you don't put some kind of mark, even you would be surprised. Try making odd flavor combinations [as if pandanus and peppermint isn't odd enough], you could add cayenne pepper for some spicy cupcakes, or jackfruit extract [or different exotic fruit flavorings] for a more unexpected flavor.

These are perfect for April Fools' Day, but can also be made on ordinary days because I don't think people will be much surprised by these on April Fools', somehow they might already expect them. 

April Fool's "Chocolate" Cupcakes

Notes [ HEAD: Peppermint, BASE: Pandanus ]

Ingredients

Cupcakes [makes 16-18 mini cupcakes, or 6-7 regular cupcakes]

1/4 c. butter, room temperature [1/2 stick]

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. brown food color [liquid, or add 1 tsp. gel food coloring]

2 drops black food color [gel]

1 tsp. pandanus extract [or 1 tsp. of your preferred flavoring/spice]

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

dash of salt

3 tbsp. milk

Frosting

1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract [or 1/2 tsp. of your preferred flavoring/spice]
1 tsp. brown food color [liquid, or add 1/2 tsp. gel food coloring]

Directions

1. MAKE BATTER: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with liners. 
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, mix butter and sugar, then add egg, and pandanus extract [or preferred flavoring/spice]. Beat then add brown and black food color. Mix well.

4. Add half of the flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beat then add remaining flour mixture.
5. BAKE CUPCAKES*: Fill liners with a tablespoonful of batter. Bake for about 12 minutes, do toothpick test. If they are not done, check at 1 minute intervals. Cool on wire rack.

6. MAKE FROSTING: Whip butter until light and fluffy, then add powdered sugar, brown food color, and peppermint extract [or preferred flavoring/spice]. Mix until well incorporated.

7. ASSEMBLE CUPCAKES: Frost the cupcakes. Serve and enjoy.

* FOR REGULAR CUPCAKES: Fill liners 2/3 full. Bake for about 18 minutes, do toothpick test. If they are not done, check at 1 minute intervals. Cool on wire rack.

Happy September Fools' Day!