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1
Preheat the oven to 350?F (175?C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.
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2
Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
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3
Sift the cocoa in another bowl. Whisk together the cocoa and hot water until smooth.
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4
Melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until combined. Remove from heat and whisk for 4-5 mins with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until cool to touch.
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5
Whisk in the eggs, one by one, beating until incorporated before adding another.
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6
Add the vanilla, then the cocoa mixture, beating only till combined.
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7
Switch the mixer to low speed and add half the flour followed by half the sour cream, beating only till combined. Fold in the remaining flour and sour cream.
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8
Divide batter evenly among the lined cups filling each 3/4 full, and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, about 20-25 mins.
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9
Cool the cupcakes completely on a wire rack before frosting.
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10
Make the chocolate frosting: Chop and place chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream with the syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until it just comes to a simmer.
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11
Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit for a few minutes. Stir the chocolate into the cream until smooth and shiny.
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12
The ganache will thicken as it cools. Refrigerate it, stirring after every 10 mins until it has a soft spreading consistency.
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13
Place a generous dollop of frosting in the center of the cupcake. Spread the frosting evenly around the cupcake with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.
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14
Crush the Oreo cookies finely to get 'dirt'.
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15
Starting at the edge, roll the cupcake tops in the Oreo dirt to cover completely.
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16
Fill a piping or ziplock bag with the remaining chocolate frosting pushing it all the way down. (Microwave the frosting for 10-15 seconds if too stiff.) Press out the excess air, fold the open end 2-3 times and staple or tape shut. Using scissors snip off a small slit at the end or fit it with a round decorating tip.
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17
Using the piping bag, decorate the rectangular cookie to make the 'tombstone'.
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18
Insert the rectangular cookie into the cupcake.
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19
Arrange the graveyard cupcakes on a platter layered with the remaining Oreo dirt
