Savory Stiletto
Steaming Up The Kitchen…
Happy Birthday Big!
January 25, 2012Someone in our house is having a birthday. That someone is turning 29 (again). Last year, I decided to have his two closest friends from LA come out to surprise him. I can say without a doubt, that he was beyond ecstatic. While this year, I don’t have anything near as exciting for him, I know for a fact that this will be his best birthday ever (because aren’t birthdays just supposed to keep getting better?)!
My inner Betty Crocker was out in full force, only this Betty was cooking in a pair of the most scrumptious blue suede shoes.
But this post isn’t about me. It’s about you babe. Happy birthday to my best friend. The love of my life. And one of the most inspiring men I know. May every single one of your birthday wishes and dreams come true. You deserve them!
Savor these cupcakes with a glass of champagne, because turning 29 for the 12th time deserves celebration!
Celebration Worthy Cupcakes
Adapted from the Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup mayonnaise (yes it sounds gross, yes it’s delicious)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 bag (yes bag) of Ghirardelli’s semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 cupcake tins with liners and have 8 4×2 mini loaf pans ready (no need to spray). If you don’t have the mini loaf pans, save some of the batter and wait until the cupcake pans are cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine everything from the sugar to the salt. Whisk together to make sure it’s all incorporated.
Add the eggs, half and half, mayo, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed (or if your hand mixer is 100 years old, high speed) for 2 minutes. Pour in the boiling water and stir by hand until the mixture is a dark brown. It initially lightens up considerably when you add the water. The batter will be really thin, don’t worry! Add in the entire bag of chocolate chips and mix well.
Using a measuring cup, add just under 1/3 of a cup of the batter to each muffin to. Add 1/3 cup to each mini loaf pan.
Bake the cupcakes for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Bake the mini cakes for 17-21 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes and mini cakes to cool completely before frosting.
I cheated with frosting and used Pillsbury Easy Frosting. I just never have been the best at making (then piping) my own frosting. And I’m okay with that!
My thoughts: First (and again). Happy Birthday Big! I hope everyone at your office enjoyed your birthday treats! Second, YUM!! The house smelled beyond delicious all night and I am still dreaming of licking the spoon after mixing everything up.
These were super chocolate-y, thanks to the chocolate chips and the additional ¼ cup of cocoa powder (the original hershey’s recipe only called for ¾ cup cocoa powder). Yum yum yum!!! I don’t even want to order dessert when we go out to dinner tonight because ours is so much better!
Happy Birthday Baby!
One Response to Happy Birthday Big!
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Thank you so much for making my birthday special and yes, they just keep getting better! You are an amazing woman (and an incredible cook/baker/pseudo-chef
Love,
Big