Afternoon Tea Cakes

The light and moist cupcakes have a delicate cinnamon-scented chocolate glaze that's spread over them while they are still warm.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375F. Line twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper liners.

Place cocoa in a small bowl and stir in 1/2 cup very hot tap water to dissolve.

In a large bowl combine the melted butter and sugar; beat with an electric mixer until blended. Add the egg and beat until light, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the cocoa mixture and beat until smooth.

In a small bowl stir together the sour cream and baking soda. Stir this mixture into the butter-sugar mixture. Add the flour and vanilla; beat quickly, just until evenly blended. With a spoon stir in the coconut.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, dividing it evenly among them; they will be about three-quarters full.

Bake about 20 minutes, until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove the tea cakes from the pan and cool slightly on a rack while you prepare the glaze.

Spread about 2 teaspoons of the chocolate glaze on each of the warm tea cakes and let cool thoroughly.

Chocolate Glaze:

Drizzle this simple and tasty glaze over the afternoon tea cakes or over any cake that's been frosted with seven-minute caramel frosting.

In a small saucepan combine the butter with 2 tablespoons water. Place over low heat, add the chocolate, and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture thickens slightly; remove from the heat.

In a small bowl combine the confectioner's sugar and cinnamon; stir in the chocolate mixture and the vanilla to make a smooth glaze.