Monday, April 9, 2012

Writing to the gentle sound of a cats purr...



The first Friday in April deserved muffincakes as does every weekend ever. Two kinds this time. 
Uberdank chocolaty cream filled cakes and pizza muffins-which. (I will post on a different date). Just what we all need. The balance of sweet and savory!
These are for my sweeties like all my baking is. Inspired by all the creatures in my life that keep us soaring and roaring.

Tulips are starting and daffodils blooming. The spring spectacular is showing its face to the world, at least to this side of the world.
The narcissus smells like the fading flavor of honey, a subtle tingling sensation in my nose, a selective smell rises about to the surface.   


~~~~~~~ "Chocolate ones so good with the dark minty chunks!
Almost my favorite part of the whole backing process! Yippee!
Have the frosting done; cakes~ baked~ cooling~ whip cream in the fridge with mixers, and a container cooling down for better whipping potential!
Then I get to take out centers fill them, top ‘em, frost and decorate!
Oh yeah baby! Such sweet work!"~~~~~~~

They taste like a ho-ho, but so much more fulfilling. Rich dark chocolate with a creamy, dreamy filling.

I gave 5 to my boyfriend after a long week at work. 4 went with my sister and her boyfriend. I ate 2. The remaining 6 went on Saturday to one of my favorite local bands for keeping us rockin’!
Check ‘em out, Space Neighbors www.facebook.com/spaceneighbors ~ funk, reggae, space disco fun! Every show is a different theme or color. Audience participation; a guaranteed good time!

What follows are the stylings of a very delicious time, which only deepens depending of course, on who you share them with. Enjoy!


4 Chocolate Paradise Muffincakes

½ cup butter room temp
1 cup sugar (I used maple sugar, I’m sure any kind would work)
2 large eggs
¾ cup flour
½ tsp. b powder
¼ tsp. b soda
¼ salt
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 mint chocolate bar broken up into small pieces

1.   Beat butter until softened
2.   Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy about three min.
3.   Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined.
4.   Measure flour, b-powder, b-soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small size bowl and whisk to combine.
5.   Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine.
6.   Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter /sugar & beat to combine. Add about half the milk/ vanilla and beat to combine.
7.   Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
8.   Scoop batter into cupcake liners about ½ full
9.   Stir in chocolate. J
10.   Bake 350f for 22-25 min or until toothpick come out clean.
11.  Cool for 15-20 min then core, easier with a melon baller- ya only want the middle out.

Basic whip cream filling:
Mix 2 tsp. vanilla and 2 cups whip cream together
(1 tsp. sweetener optional)
Beat ‘til soft peaks form
Spoon into pastry bag and fill cores of cooled cakes.
Put cores back on top after they have been filled.
(Bring the whisk out of the cream as much as possible to bring air and volume into the mixture).

Ganache frosting:
1.   Chop dark chocolate
2.   Heat cream and sugar together in pan on medium.
3.   Pour this mixture over the chocolate,
Let it sit for a min, then stir slowly until it melts and stir until completely combined. Don’t panic. Put back on super low heat if the oil if floating, heat. Take back off and add more chocolate and stir gently ‘til all is melted. If still too liquidy set aside for 5-10 min cool down then stir again. 
4.   Set aside or refrigerate for a few hours.
5.   Use for frosting or fillings

White chocolate drizzle
Melt white chocolate on the stove in pan for a minute until completely melted.
Pour into plastic bag or pastry bag
Then draw on cupcake anything you want!

Pictures are coming soon I promise! 
They are a one of the wondrous additions to all the cooking blogs and food websites I adore (those will also be listed shortly).

Cheers to all of you, and happy baking!

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