Boston Cream . . . CUPCAKES!!!

Unexpected cupcakes?!  Not over here at Juneberry Lane, ha ha ha!  These yummy desserts are just plain scrumptious and a whole bunch of fun to make too!  Brought to you via Something Pretty for Today, these little guys make for quite a fun project for the weekend, don't you think?   Here's what you do . . .

Boston Cream Cupcakes
This miniature version of the classic custard pie leaves nothing out, with rich vanilla pudding, buttermilk and a semisweet chocolate glaze!
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes


Ingredients
Cupcakes:
~ 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
~ 3/4 tsp baking soda
~ 1/2 tsp each baking powder and salt
~ 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
~ 1 1/4 cups sugar
~ 3 large eggs
~ 2 tsp vanilla extract
~ 1 cup buttermilk

Filling:
~ 1 package (3 oz) cook & serve vanilla pudding
~ 1 1/4 cups milk
~ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
~ Chocolate Glaze
~ 8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
~ 1/3 cup each sugar and water
~ 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Directions:


1.  Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until blended.

3. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Beat in vanilla extract.

4. With mixer on low speed, alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, until just blended.

5. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack to cool completely.

6. Filling: Prepare pudding as package directs, using 1 1/4 cups milk. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Scrape into a bowl; cover surface directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.

7. Glaze: Place chocolate, sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter until it melts and mixture is smooth. Let cool.

8. To assemble: Slice off top of cupcakes to come to top of paper liners. Spread cut surface with about 1 Tbsp filling. Top with cupcake top. Spoon about 1 Tbsp glaze onto top center of each, easing it over top.

Divine, right?  Hope you have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!