Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Giada at HomeEpisode: Beach Volleyball

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (22)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(22)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
12 cupcakes

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 40 min
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 1 hr 15 min

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Ingredients

Cupcakes:

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
1 (21-ounce) box brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge)
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

Frosting:

4 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Directions

Special equipment: 12 paper cupcake liners, a 12-cup muffin pan

For the cupcakes: Place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.

In a small bowl combine the walnuts, 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of the brownie mix. Toss until all the ingredients are coated. Set aside.

In a large bowl mix together the remaining brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir for 20 seconds until blended. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan (cupcake liners will be full). Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until a cake tester inserted into the cupcakes comes out with moist fudgy crumbs. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting, about 30 minutes.

For the frosting: In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cheeses together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable. Refrigerate the frosting until ready to use.

Spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes and garnish with the remaining mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
Theresa Cordova, TN 11-07-2009
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Absolutely delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

We have always been Duncan Hines brownie fans, and this recipe takes them to a whole new level. My family absolutely loves... them! They are so easy to make, but they taste like a lot of effort was put into making them. The icing is delicious, but I found I could ice two batches of brownies with one recipe of icing. Thanks Giada for another great recipe. Read more
recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
Kristin Indiana, PA 09-23-2009
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What's not to like?
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Must say, "thank you!" to reviewers as well. I, too, followed suggestions and added an extra egg and 1/4 tsp baking powder. ... The cupcakes turned out just fabulous. Using a brownie mix, it was obvious to me that these were going to turn out extra rich, chocolatey and dense. They were just what I expected. The icing is simply to die for! I plan to make it to top lots of other ttreats. It was sooooo yummy. I must say I had no trouble eating one of these... I ate the whole thing...quite happily! Neither did anyone in my family have trouble. I made these to celebrate the first day of school for my little girl. She sometimes watches Giada with me, and she actually recgonized these from the episode in which they were featured. She was very excited to have "Giada's cupcakes!" Thanks, Giada! You helpes us start a "First Day of School" tradition. Read more
recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
Patricia Aldan, PA 09-19-2009
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Awesome - thanks to all!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Thank you to everyone for their suggestions. I used Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix, and used all of the... measurements that the recipe called for. I added an extra egg (for a lighter cupcake feel) and 1/2 tsp. of baking powder. They came out awesome!! I did not make the icing only because I did not have the ingredients on hand!! These were not rich and I had no problem downing a whole cupcake. I am going to try it tomorrow with ice cream 8-). This is a great recipe thanks to Giada and to all of you!! Read more
recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
Lisa Latham, NY 08-26-2009
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LOVE IT!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family love these cupcakes. Now when I make brownies I make the cupcakes. My daughter is allergic to nut so I subsisted... coconut and the cupcakes were fabulous.Read more
recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
Lexi Glenshaw, PA 07-27-2009
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Thumbs up to Giada
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Growing up in an Italian house hold Giada's recipes always remind me of my childhood. These cupcakes make a perfect addition... to my memories. They were not too sweet and they were loved by both children and adults. If you are looking for a simple last minute desert I would defiantly recommend these. Thank you so much Giada. Read more
recipe Chocolate Chip Walnut Cupcakes
sharon Maumelle, AR 07-19-2009
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Check my BLOODSUGAR ! !
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These were excellent - The first batch I made I took to Bunco and all twelve girls ate their entire cupcake - They were so... rich I was afraid they wouldn't be able to finish the whole thing (maybe the homemade vanilla icecream helped wash them down) - On the next batch, I put them in "mini muffin tins" and they were just the right size.... made around thirty mini cupcakes - The icing is the BEST - I always had leftover, I was afraid to put too much icing on each cupcake - I'll certainly make these againRead more