Oh the things we do for love!!! I am still getting back into my baking groove and making special treats for other people is the best inspiration of all for me. It truly makes me happy. Our dad was in Scotland on a Zodiac cruising around the ocean adventuring on Father’s Day so this weekend we had a belated celebration for him. But what to make?!
The Inspiration
I lost so many cookbooks in the move and I wanted to make chocolate cupcakes and could not believe Anna Olson’s new book and her recipes online did not have one for chocolate cupcakes! I was worried about trying a recipe from someone I did not know very well so I turned to myself, LOL. Well, me and Martha Stewart for Mini Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Mocha Frosting.
Getting Back Into The Kitchen
I think it took me four trips up and down the stairs (my physiotherapist would be proud) to get all my baking components from my room into the kitchen to bake. And FYI, I am officially boot free!!! Still have lots of healing to do but I am mobile foodies. I could cry but I won’t! There is baking to be done.
It is a bit of an oddball recipe. Melting butter and sugar together first to make cupcakes?! It works though, everything comes together warm and ready for the oven. Whether you make mini cupcakes or full size, they are perfectly baked on the outside and super light and airy on the inside.
What Is There To Improve?
The icing! Why? Because there was not enough. Last time I made these I used a ganache icing for half the batch so the original recipe did not have enough icing for a full batch. In fact if you are piping the icing, you may want to TRIPLE the amount. I updated the recipe and also realized I do not have the gear to use my giant star tip to really show off some skills. Actually I am a horrible foodie decorator but I believe in having the right tools so I am going to pick some up.
Foodie Love
I am glad I took some photos BEFORE our walk over to the party because everything got a little smooshed on the way there. Still, they tasted fantastic and in the end, that is all I care about. Pretty food is great but it is the love in the food that shines the brightest.
BTW, do NOT substitute coffee for the espresso. It just is not the same. I could not find instant espresso and my decaf coffee… They were still good but missed that flavourful POW. Sometimes there are elements of a recipe you do NOT mess around with and espresso is one of them.
The Visit
Thankfully everyone loved the cupcakes and my sister held such a feast! I will share that soon too along with a product review.
It was exciting to see my dad to get out the maps and the photos of his visit to Scotland and talk about his adventures on the ocean visiting broken nunneries and sunken ancient villages via a Zodiac. I used to only see him every other year or so. It is quite the adjustment to have him come in for the day here and there. That part is wonderful.
I definitely share his adventurous spirit and he gives me hope that one day I will go on amazing adventures around the world one day too. You never know. For now, I am just so happy to walk around my hood on a beautiful summer day.
The rest of the world will have to come later. I am sure it will wait for me.
Your little cupcakes look so yummy! Glad to hear you’re boot-free now!
Everyone loved them Debra! And yes, me too! I just shared a post where I was walking outside for the first time. Made me so happy.
It’s been a while since I been in kitchen. Those Cup Cake would go well at the pagan camp out I’m going to this weekend.
Coffee is on
Oh they would be perfect for that Dora!