Valentine's Day Cupcakes - Special Dark

I won't even waste any time jibber jabbering here, let's get to the recipe!!

SPECIAL DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
oven 350, makes 18 standard size cupcakes

3/4 C Hershey's Special Dark cocoa (you'll know you've got the right stuff because it is almost black)
1 C sugar
1/2 C (1 stick) butter
3/4 C buttermilk
1/2 C water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 C all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder


GANACHE:

10 oz. Hershey's Special Dark chocolate
1 C heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla


Cupcakes:
Put the cocoa, sugar, buttermilk, water, and butter in a medium saucepan. Heat over low-medium heat and stir until butter is melted and the ingredients are blended well.

Remove from heat and allow to cool 15 minutes.

While mixture is cooling, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a medium bowl, set aside.

Add vanilla and egg to the chocolate mixture, mix until combined.

Pour chocolate mixture into flour mixture in three parts, stirring until smooth after each addition.

Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full, and bake for 20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes, and then remove to rack to cool completely.

Spoon a small amount of liquid ganache onto each cupcake one at a time,and swirl to spread evenly over the top. Ganache will set as it sits.


Ganache:
In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat cream until it starts to bubble. Remove from heat, add the chocolate, cover, and allow to sit for about 5 minutes.

Stir until mixture is smooth, stir in vanilla and salt.

Ganache is ready to use!