Aztec Chile-Chocolate Cupcakes

Prep Time:40 Mins | Total Time:2 Hrs 20 Mins | Makes:24 cupcakes

Cap off a Mexican meal with this distinctive chocolaty dessert. It's a sweet and spicy delight!

2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons ancho chile pepper powder

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 cup hot water

2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

3/4 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee powder or granules

About 3 tablespoons milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
In medium bowl, mix flour, chile pepper powder, baking soda, salt, baking powder and red pepper; set aside. In small bowl, mix hot water and cocoa until dissolved; set aside.
In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and cocoa mixture, about half at a time, beating just until blended.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, line cookie sheet with foil. In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove from heat. Spread chocolate to 1/8-inch thickness on cookie sheet. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Break into pieces; reserve.
In large bowl, mix butter and melted unsweetened chocolate. Stir in powdered sugar and cinnamon. Stir coffee powder into 2 tablespoons milk until dissolved. With spoon, beat coffee mixture into powdered sugar mixture. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with chocolate shards.