Tuesday Tastings ::Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes

Sorry I've been a bit MIA. It's been a little busy lately. Some of my favorite staff members are going and others are coming in. I've also been busy pet-sitting for the friendboy's sister. She has a cat that LOVES to eat. And when he's not eating... he cries for attention! He didn't always like me THAT much. But I think since his "momma" has been gone, he's settling for me. He's making my Hachi really jealous!!

Anyway, while I've been pet sitting, I've also had some time to bake! If there's anything about me that you might know, it's that I like to bake cupcakes during my spare time and for potlucks (if time is allowed). So anyway, I made Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes!!

Sorry I don't have step by step photos.. I'm really bad at remembering to do that. I'll try to remember next time. I did end up taking these to a friend's place. And one of them loved them so much, he ate 4 of them! His wife was not pleased (because he's already begun to grow a beer gut... Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes don't really help).

I'll share the wealth though! Here's the recipe:

chocolate espresso cupcakes

(adapted and modified from The Baker Chick) 

printable recipe

makes 18-24 cupcakes

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup freshly brewed strong coffee

3/4 cup buttermilk

3 tablespoons safflower oil (canola is also fine)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

espresso buttercream

2 sticks of butter softened

3 cups powdered sugar 

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2-6 tablespoons of milk or cream

chocolate espresso beans (optional)

directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Stir the espresso powder into the hot coffee until dissolved. Add the eggs into the bowl, along with the coffee/espresso mixture, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed.

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

for frosting:

In a small bowl, combine the espresso powder, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Stir together until powder has dissolved. Put the softened butter into a large bowl, and using an electric mixer, beat the butter until pale and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until thick and paste-like.  Add the espresso/vanilla mixture and continue to beat frosting well. Add a teaspoon at a time of milk/cream until frosting is creamy and pipe-able. Frost cupcakes as desired, and top with a chocolate covered espresso bean. (optional)

* For my recipe, I actually underbaked my cupcakes by 3 minutes because my oven is a little hotter than some. I also added 4 unsweetened chocolate baking squares to the batter (melted). I did not have milk so I used almond milk (which is always in my 'fridge) and I also did not have safflower oil so vegetable was used instead. 

If you make this recipe, let me know how it turns out! I'd like to know!

Valentine's Day What?

What are everyone's plans for the marketeering "holiday"? If you're like me, I bought my friendboy a box of Godiva Chocolates. Only the best for my puppy-daddy. He's got um, a wee bit of a problem with the lactose ingredients so I got him all dark chocolates. As far as plans go, I am spending a nice romantic Valentine's weekend doing taxes, car servicing, and dog grooming... yay! Romantic, right? I thought so.
In other news, I wanted to share how cool and awesome these new Gold & Wood frames are. We got a pair for the friendboy (he hasn't seen them yet).

Nice Buffalo horn striation

Gold & Wood Model H10P

Don't mind my messy room in the reflection of these lenses. These bad boys are polarized lenses finished with a silver flash mirror coat on the front and a cool blue hued anti-glare coating on the back surface of the lenses. All of Gold & Wood's frames are made of all natural exotic woods and (unharmed) buffalo horn:

About the horn (from Gold & Wood Website)

"The African and Vietnamese buffalo horn is taken from domesticated animals meant for the butcher’s shop. Indian horns are taken without mutilation or cruelty, mindful of cows’ sacred nature in this country. A Health Certificate issued by Indian authorities attests to the veterinary origin and good health of the animals."

About the wood (from Gold & Wood Website)

"Very little wood is used in manufacturing the settings. For example, the production of a thousand eyeglass temples requires cutting down a single tree. The anallergic nature and lightness of this entirely natural material is a major asset for the settings. For all woods used in its collections, Gold & Wood resorts to an FSC-certified supplier, a guarantee of the right and proper monitoring of the wood’s traceability by an independent certification agency. Its raw woods, from a controlled provenance, come exclusively from regions of the world where systematic reforestation is in effect and monitored by local authorities. Furthermore, the supplier’s facilities are equipped with used-water filtration and purification systems. As for the dyes used in staining the raw material, they boast extremely low toxicity rate and are strictly environment-friendly"

No two frames are alike even despite it being the exact same model. All the wood used in their frames are natural and not dyed. And buffalo horns are not ever the same color nor do they offer the same striation so one pair might have more white in it than others (as pictured).

Just thought these were so cool. Had to share. Can't wait to give it to the friendboy tonight!