I found these berries during one of my frequent trolls through the Village Market in the Ferry Building. While extremely expensive, the Village Market is sure to have something new and exotic that I can make into a cupcake. And frankly, I can’t help myself.
I purchased these some time ago and am finally getting around to making a cupcake out of them (and some pricy Himalayan Pink Salt also purchased at said market). I had never had goji berries before and was pleasantly surprised. Both their smell and taste remind me of figs, which I love, but the goji berry is definitely unique and really unlike any dried fruit I tasted. Apparently they are quite good for you as well. What a plus.
I used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe which never fails me and topped them off with a small dollop of ganache. All in all a rich and slightly tangy cupcake that went down pretty easy.
Cupcakes
30 regular cupcakes / 350 degree oven
200 gram bar of Valrhona 61% cacao (or any bittersweet chocolate)
3 sticks (343 grams) butter
2-1/4 cups (445 grams) sugar
8 eggs
1-1/4 cup (180 grams) flour
1/4 cup (30 grams) cocoa powder, unsweetened
1-1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
3/4 cup (82 grams) goji berries, chopped
1. Chop chocolate and transfer into the bowl of a standing mixer.
2. Add butter to the chocolate and place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir until chocolate melts and butter is combined.
3. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Let mixture cool for 10 minutes.
4. Beat in an electric mixer for 3 minutes.
5. Add one egg at a time, mixing for 30 seconds between each
6. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the mixture, return to the electric mixer, and mix until blended.
7. Stir in the goji berries. Scoop into cupcake cups and bake at 350 F for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Note: If the oven is not hot enough than these cupcakes may over-flow. One way to be safe is to either fill 2/3’s full or another trick I use is to preheat to 375, then drop the heat to 350 once I put the cupcakes in. I also rotate the pans after 15 minutes of baking. It is safe to gently move then at that point and I find the lower back of my oven to be a bit cooler.
mise en place
goji berries going into batter
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
5 ounces (145 grams) bittersweet chocolate
2 ounces (54 grams) unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 stick (57 grams) butter, room temperature
1 cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) Himalayan pink salt
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Chop chocolates and transfer into a heat proof bowl.
2. Heat cream until bubbles form around the edge of the pan, pour cream over the chocolate.
3. Let sit for 1 minute then stir until combined.
4. Add butter to the chocolate (make sure its soft and at room temp) and stir until everything is melted and combined.
5. Whisk together sugar, salt, milk, and vanilla in another bowl until combined.
6. Pour the sugar mixture onto the chocolate mixture and stir until combined and smooth.
7. Let sit at room temperature until thickened, stirring occasionally
8. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Note: If your chocolate, cream, and butter mixture won’t quite melt on its own, place over a pan of simmering water and stir until fully melted.
goji berry package
Assemble
1. Frost cooled cupcakes.
2. Top with Himalayan pink salt.