Cupcakes that Stop the Traffik

One of my goals in life is to start a cocoa plantation in Laos. So it seemed appropriate that I participate in R Khooks Stop the Traffik Chocolate Competition.


To be honest I've never really thought about fair trade chocolate. I sort of knew that you couldn't buy it in the regular confectionery isle at the supermarket. The challenge would be where to look for it.






I went to the local health food store and found Cocolo. At $6 for a 100g, it is almost twice as expensive as the same block of Lindt. It is, however, just as smooth as Lindt. For me the price would be prohibitive in using it in my baking, unless a client specifically asked for it.

I cruised the organic isle in the supermarket in the hope that I would find a fair trade chocolate with the limited organic chocolate choices. I found Green & Black's Maya Gold. This was $3.60 or there abouts, so on par with the equivalent Lindt block. Again the difference between Lindt and Green & Black Maya Gold is negligible.

I would look at buying the Maya Gold blocks instead of Lindt. The only problem would be availability. The only Maya Gold available at the supermarket was the orange flavour. I will check out the other supermarkets I frequent and see plain dark chocolate is available,

So on to the business. One of my favourite recipes is a chocolate sour cream cupcake recipe. I used this recipe to make a Chocolate Orange Cupcake that would def Stop the Traffik.

I used the Maya Gold in the cupcake itself and the Cocolo in the ganache.

Stop the Traffik Cupcakes

2 cups plain [all purpose] flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup water
½ cup orange juice
1 tsp orange zest

3/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 eggs

150g / 4 oz Maya Gold Chocolate, melted

1. Preheat oven to 180 (350)

2. Line 2 12 capacity muffin trays with cupcake liners.

3. Measure all ingredients into large mixing bowl.

4. Mix for 30 seconds on low speed, scraping bowl constantly until ingredients are combined.

5. Increase speed to high and beat 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

6. Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners. Fill only half way.

7. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

8. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.

Makes 24

For the Camden Boys.