Love this book! |
Ugly but oh-so-delicious icing! :) |
The bridal shower colors were pink and green (spring wedding, of course) so the mint chocolate chip icing was the perfect color. I piped the letter "W" (for the couple's last name) and hearts with green candy melts and I think they turned out quite adorably. We also had carrot cupcakes from the previous post (I made a double batch because I knew we had the bridal shower) and tiramisu cupcakes (you'll get to read about those in my next post). These may seem like strange combinations that have nothing to do with the other and, well, you'd be right except for one important thing. The bride's two favorite desserts are anything minty and tiramisu. Therefore, that's what I made. Hello! What the bride wants...the bride gets!! :)
Carrot, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Tiramisu Cupcakes (post coming soon) |
The BEST chocolate cake EVER: (found on page 133 of Baked Explorations)
1 oz quality dark chocolate (60-72%), broken into a few pieces
1/2 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup hot coffee
1/3 cup whole milk
1 1/3 cup AP flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
10 T unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, softened
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 t pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 325*. Prepare cupcake liners in pan. Place the chocolate and cocoa powder in a medium heatproof bowl. Pour the hot coffee directly over them and whisk until combined. Add the milk and whisk until smooth.
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add the vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and mix again for 30 seconds.
Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the chocolate mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cupcake comes out clean.
Mint Chocolate Chip Icing: (original recipe found here)
2.5 sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
2-3 tsp mint extract, adjust to taste
150g dark chocolate, very finely chopped or pulsed through a food processor
green food coloring, enough to reach desired color
Cut up butter into small pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on high until fluffy and smooth. Add sifted sugar one cup at a time, beating until combined. Add mint extract to taste and then green food coloring. Gradually add chocolate chip pieces until well combined.
Oh, I almost forgot! Yesterday I was the lucky winner of an awesome giveaway! Yep, me. I never win anything! I guess I can't say that anymore but before this it was true. Jen over at Tater Tots and Jello hosted this giveaway last week. The prize? A fabulous purse and wallet from Georgana over at You Love Deals (yes, I do love deals!). I can't wait to receive these beauties in the mail. You don't understand. I have a purse/bag problem. I'm addicted and have no intention of being cured...ever! Head on over and check out these fabulous sites! Thank you, Jen and Georgana, for a fun giveaway!
Well, that's all for now. Yesterday was my lovely friend's birthday and we have lots of fun planned for the week! Be watching for my next post, " I Do with Tiramisu", and as always, happy reading and, more importantly, happy cupcake-ing!
I loooooove your blog!! I'm obsessed with cupcakes! You should check out the cupcake themed room I did for my daughter, LOL!! (Search my blog for "cupcake room" and the entries should come up.) New follower, glad I found your blog from the Thursday hop! :)
ReplyDelete~ Di
momsgotabrandnewbag.blogspot.com
Thanks so much! I will definitely check that out. I'm pretty obsessed with cupcakes myself, as you can see :) Thanks for following!
DeleteThanks for stopping by! :)
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Crazy Sweet Tuesday! http://queenofsavings.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and showing some love! :)
DeleteThanks for hosting! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, mint, how I love thee. Especially with awesome chocolate cupcakes! These are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dorothy! They were yummy ;)
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