Blackberry-Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

The blackberries just keep on giving! I decided to force their deliciousness into cupcakes this time and they turned out so darn cute with the little blackberries on top. I love the dark rich color of them and the blackberry flavored ganache is deadly!

Dark Chocolate Blackberry Cupcakes:
recipe from Pastry Affair

1 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp espresso powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup milk
6 oz semisweet chocolate

1   in a large saucepan add blackberries and 1/4 cup sugar, bring mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes to release the juices from the berries. remove from heat and strain blackberries, set aside the juice for later use
2   preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line cupcake pan with baking cups or grease them
3   in a large bowl combine flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt.
4   then mix in vanilla, oil and milk until mostly combined, don't overmix
5   fold in blackberries
6   fill baking cups 3/4 full with batter and bake for 15-20 minutes, toothpick should come out clean. let cool
7   heat up 1 cup of blackberry juice until it is simmering
8   remove from heat and quickly stir in chocolate until the mixture is all smooth
9   set aside to thicken, stirring occasionally
10   once the ganache has thickened slightly dip the top of the cupcakes into it, or spoon ganache on top of cupcakes, top with an adorable blackberry