April 11, 2011

Hello, Chocolate Cupcakes! (And a Giveaway)


If you're ever in need of a great chocolate cake or cupcake recipe, you need not look any further.  I tried three different recipes for the butterfly cupcakes, and every one of them flopped miserably.  The flavor and texture were completely off, and there was no way I could serve any of the cupcakes at the bake sale in good conscience.  I was almost on the verge of tears after the third batch turned out disastrous.  I didn't realize a good chocolate cupcake was so difficult to make!

So I turned to a pro, and I wondered why I hadn't done this in the first place!  When in doubt, just head over to Savory Sweet Life.  The ever talented and very gracious Alice does not disappoint.  When it comes to cake, she knows her stuff (she used to own a wedding cake business).  Her chocolate espresso cupcake is to die for.  Its flavor is rich and decadent; the texture moist and dense.  Need I say more?  Just perfect and it saved the butterfly cupcakes.  Next time, I will have to try the Frangelico ganache frosting to go with it.



Alice's Espresso Chocolate Cupcakes
From Savory Sweet Life
Makes approximately 40 cupcakes

Photo from Savory Sweet Life
Ingredients:

2 cups hot strong coffee
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour (11-1/4 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line standard muffin tins with paper liners.  In a small bowl, mix cocoa powder and coffee until it looks like a smooth chocolate sauce; set aside to cool.  In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until nice and fluffy.  Add vanilla and eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.  Slowly add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until batter and mix for 2 minutes.  Add chocolate-coffee sauce mixture and mix the cake batter for 3 minutes on medium-high or until the batter is smooth.

2. Fill each muffin cup until 2/3 full.  Bake about 25 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing and allow to cool on a wire rack.


The Giveaway
So now it's your turn to make some amazing cupcake creations!   I'm giving away two copies of Hello, Cupcake! to readers (domestic U.S. residents only).  This book is filled with wonderful, playful ideas on how to dress up the average cupcake (like the candy butterflies).  The instructions and photos in the book really do make it easy for anyone to make these fun creations.   



TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR THE BOOK GIVEAWAY 
(open to domestic U.S. residents only):
Simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite cupcake flavor is.

For extra entries:
  • Like Eaternal Bliss on Facebook and leave another comment letting me know you did so (if you already like, you can add a comment letting me know).
  • Follow Eaternal Bliss publicly via Google Friend Connect (again, if you're already doing this, just let me know).
  • Post about the giveaway on Twitter: "Win a free copy of "Hello, Cupcake!"  at http://bit.ly/ia4XOv via @mothersmementos."  Leave an additional comment letting me know you tweeted this.

Deadline for entry is 11:59pm EST on Monday, April 18, 2011.  Two winners will be randomly chosen by a number generator.  I'll announce winners and email them directly to let them know they've won.

Good luck!  And please do try Alice's amazing chocolate cupcake recipe.  You won't regret it.

46 comments:

  1. my all time favorite flavor is chocolate!!

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  2. I already "like" EB on FB

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  3. I follow EB publicly through Google Friend Connect

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  4. Your cupcakes are simply amazing!! We love that cookbook too, my daughter gave it away as a present and has been on me to get one for her. Wonderful giveaway!!

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  5. I tweeted about the giveaway!!! Woo Hoo!!!

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  6. lovely post! my favorite cupcake flavor is yellow cake with buttercream frosting : j

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  7. just tweeted about the giveaway as well!

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  8. Beautiful cupcakes! Wish I could have one now!

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  9. Your cupcakes are so gorgeous! How I wish I could win that book... If only this was an international giveaway! But I will like you on facebook and share this too... These pretty cupcakes deserve to be drooled over :)

    I am also a 'follower' :)

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  10. Chocolate is my favorite cupcake flavor! :D
    ohmygoshbeck at gmail dot com

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  11. I liked Eaternal Bliss on FB!
    ohmygoshbeck at gmail dot com

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  12. I tweeted the giveaway!
    ohmygoshbeck at gmail dot com
    http://twitter.com/#!/ohmygoshbeck/status/57736457078575104

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  13. I am a GFC follower.
    ohmygoshbeck at gmail dot com

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  14. Your cupcakes look and sound delicious. I'm a first time visitor to your blog and have spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the recipes you feature here and I'll definitely be back. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  15. Tweeted about your giveaway on Twitter! pipandebby

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  16. "Liked" you on FB, as well. pipandebby

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  17. Aaaand subscribed via Google Reader. mmporta

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  18. These cupcakes look fabulous! I love adding coffee to chocolate! My favorite flavor of cupcake is peanut butter, slather on some chocolate frosting and I'm in heaven!

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  19. Only a baker with exceptional skills can turn plain chocolate cupcakes to amazing cupcakes because of the unique design for toppings.

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  20. This look too good!!!! I love the way you made them and photos are stunning!!!

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  21. Delicious looking cupcakes!! Chcoalte is by far my favorite cupcake flavor!

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  22. Ohhh, I love them. Coffee is always a great company to enhance the beauty of chocolate. My favorite cupcake is all of them, when moist and irresistible, like yours !!!!

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  23. I'm going to try this chocolate cupcake. looks delish!!! and also your creme puffs from last time.
    Do you know of a good Red velvet? that's my fav. :)

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  24. beautiful - love the idea of putting 2 cups of strong coffee in it!! guess what, i went to ACMOORE and i was in love with all the neat cooking supplies there :). ahhh~~~

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  25. Ooh, fabulous cupcakes and FUN give away! I adore coconut cupcakes~

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  26. Oh! The cupcakes are adorable...hope you are having a great week :-)

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  27. I am going to have to bookmark this recipe! I love coffee flavored desserts, and this one looks really good! I like so many cupcake flavors it's hard to say just one. If I had to choose a favorite it would be chocolate, not very original, but very reliable.

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  28. I am usually avanilla fan. But red velvet always catches my eye too!

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  29. Sometimes I'm in the mood for chocolate, and sometimes I want vanilla cupcakes!

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  30. my fave flavour is... strawberry cheesecake! They sell it at a local cupcake store. yum!

    le.paradis.found at gmail dot com

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  31. tweet http://twitter.com/#!/icitea/status/58813245737275392

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  32. I like Gingerbread Cupcake

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. GFC Follower.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. It is great that you share with us such information massage London

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Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.

 

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