Chocolate Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream for Two

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place 4 paper liners along the outside edge of a cupcake pan.
2. Add the chocolate and canola oil into a medium bowl. Melt it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each additional 30-second interval. Stir well to ensure every last bit of chocolate melts. Let it cool slightly. Once cool, add the sugar and vanilla and whisk until blended. Add the egg and whisk to combine. Set aside.
3. Mix the flour and baking powder together in a small bowl. Add this into the chocolate mixture and stir until blended.
4. Divide between the cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
5. To make the buttercream, beat together the butter, almond extract and lime zest with an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar and beat well. Add the blackberries and beat vigorously to break up the berries. (If you don’t enjoy the crunchy seeds, mash the berries in a small bowl and strain before adding to the buttercream). Add lime juice to taste to bring out the sweetness of the berries. In my opinion, the frosting tastes best if it’s allowed to chill in the fridge for a few hours before being spread on the cupcakes.