Bridgette's Birthday Cupcakes

 

For the birthday party of my boyfriend's brother and his brother's girlfriend (who's birthday happen to fall right next to each other's on the calendar), I was asked to create some cupcakes that combined the girly colors of pink and purple with his love of vanilla cupcakes. I have to admit that I cheated and used a boxed white cake mix (oh the horror!), however I completely handmade and dyed the butter cream frosting.

Misadventures of the Red Velvet Cupcake

Confession: I am obsessed with red velvet cupcakes and cream cheese frosting. However some days you win and others, well, you lose. These cupcakes did not turn out according to plan. I'm not sure what happened, I think I over-mixed the batter when it came time to add the dry ingredients and then every single one of the cupcakes fell. Then the cream cheese frosting was too soupy and WOULD NOT HOLD. Oh sorry was I shouting there? I will not be bested by the red velvet! But for now here are some pictures from this past Saturday's misadventures in the making of red velvet cupcake.

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Theses cupcakes are so rich and chocolatey, they will sooth even the most manic of choco-holics. The light butter cream chocolate frosting on top is the perfect compliment to the rich dark chocolate cupcake.

1. Whip the unsalted butter and sugar into submission.

2. Add the room temperature egg and combine well.

 3. Beat in the vanilla extract.

4. Next add the buttermilk and blend on low speed and blend well. Beat until mixture smooths out.

5. Sift cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and flour.

 

Does this only happen to me or does everyone else always get cocoa powder everywhere when baking with it?!

 6. Once the dry ingredients are sifted together, finely chop the bittersweet chocolate and add to the dry mixture.

7. Slowly add the dry mixture to the batter; beat until smooth.

7. Evenly distribute the batter into 12 lined cupcake tins and pop into a 350 degree oven for approx. 18-24 minutes.

For the chocolate butter cream frosting whip together the butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder and decorate.