{alternatively titled how I managed to see a wedding beautiful enough for a Martha Stewart magazine and duplicate her amazing cupcakes in 48 hours time}
This weekend was my mother-in-law’s birthday, since we were at a wedding Friday night -
{Hubs and I}, {the view in Westport}, {my gal M and I, love her!}
After all the stress this week, Hubs and I were happy to let loose a little bit. Saturday I worked, Saturday night I baked.
My mother in law is a chocolate-a-holic. Love her to death but she’s half German so she loves her some chocolate much like my late Grandfather did. So for her birthday, since we couldn’t really spend money on anything, I baked cupcakes.
Devils Food Cupcake {via Martha Stewart}
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 cup hot water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
Chocolate Curls, for decorating (optional)
Directions
I also made, the suggested frosting…
Chocolate Ganache {via Martha Stewart}
Ingredients
1 pound good-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 1/3 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup corn syrup
Directions
- Place chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Bring cream and corn syrup just to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour mixture over chocolate. Let stand, without stirring, until chocolate begins to melt.
- Beginning near the center and working outward, stir melted chocolate into cream until mixture is combined and smooth (do not overstir).
- Refrigerate, stirring every 5 minutes, until frosting just barely begins to hold its shape and is slightly lighter in color. Use immediately (ganache will continue to thicken after you stop stirring).
The chocolate ganache took a bit longer to harden than I initially thought, definitely should have made it last night instead of this morning but it worked out and I ended up just frosting them up at my in-law’s house.
The cupcakes? A huge hit. Though next time I would consider making only a half batch as opposed to a full batch – I have so many cupcakes and so much ganache left over! Definitely something I’d make again though! A big fan of both! I indulged myself in one cupcake earlier, though I definitely plan on pawning a few of these badboys off at work, lawd knows I don’t need a dozen cupcakes laying around my house!
I know, I know I still need to get my BlogHer’10 recap up, as well as a review of the Bar Method class I went to earlier this week! Coming up. I promise. Soon. Prooommmmmm-ise.
