• Servings: 13
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• Milk Chocolate Ganache:
• 2/3 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• 5 1/2 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 12 cupcake wells with paper liners.
2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the espresso powder.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter with the granulated sugar until light, 1 minute with a stand mixer or 2 minutes with a handheld mixer.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue to beat the mixture for 1 minute with a stand mixer or 2 minutes with a handheld mixer.
5. On low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk in 2 additions, stirring until incorporated after each addition.
6. Pour the batter into the paper-lined cupcake wells.
7. Bake until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
8. Let cool to room temperature, then remove from the pans.
9. MAKE THE GANACHE
10. Place the cream in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan and warm over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble around the edges, about 5 minutes.
11. Remove the pan from the stove, add the chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly over the ganache. Refrigerate until cold.
12. Cut out about one quarter of the inside of each cupcake with a small paring knife.
13. Fill the indent with the milk chocolate ganache. Frost each cupcake with the white chocolate frosting.

These are oh-so-rich, but oh-so-wonderful! (Recipe courtesy of Emily Luchetti's 'A Passion for Desserts' via Leite's Culinaria) PLANNING AHEAD: The cupcakes can be made a day in advance; wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. The ganache can be made several days ahead and kept refrigerated. The frosting can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature. For maximum flavor and moistness, fill and frost the cupcakes the day you plan to serve them. NOTE ON MELTING CHOCOLATE: Bring a pot one-third full of water to a boil. Turn off the heat and place a stainless steel bowl over the water (you can also use a double boiler). Make sure the bowl is sitting over, not in, the water, as chocolate will scorch if it gets too hot. (To check this, place the bowl on the pot and then pick it up to see if there is any water on the bottom of the bowl). The residual heat will melt the chocolate. While the chocolate is melting, stir occasionally. If you haven't stirred the chocolate while it was melting, it may look unmelted on top, but the rest of it could be melted. This is especially important with milk and white chocolates since they scorch easily.