Hello Cupcake!

Today I decided to whip up a batch of chocolate cupcakes for the kiddos, they gathered the ingredients and put them away while I mixed it all up into a bowl of chocolately goodness....and boy does it look rich!   I am not eating any though, my friend's wedding is in 2 weeks from today and I am wearing a sleeveless dress!!!  I am not where I would like to be but I have come far, and am not screwing it up!!  My cousin's wedding is a month following my friends and I am wearing a dress a size down, finally, and it's shorter than I am used to so I am going to be very careful!  ;0)

Simple Chocolate Cupcakes


3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 Cup of dark chocolate, chopped (or you can use chocolate chips!)

Directions:
             
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 24 cup muffin tins with Pam.

In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until thoroughly mixed.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, water, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Whisk into flour mixture until all of the ingredients are mixed in and no streaks of flour remain. Add in optional mini chocolate chips, if using.

Fill muffin cups evenly with the prepared batter.

Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, or with only a few crumbs.

Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
                                               


And oh yes, if I am going to bother making cupcakes for the kidlets, I am going to pile the frosting high and swirly...and no, I am not a perfectionist! ;0) I used Wilton's Buttercream icing. It was super and thick and stayed where put!

My Review of Cast Iron 12" Skillet

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

This 12" cast iron skillet can last a lifetime and become a family heirloom to be passed down through generations! It can hold up to high heat cooking or long, slow simmering, perfect for preparing meals. The skillet can avoid chipping and warping while developing a non-...

Cast Iron 12" Skillet

Perfect size for a family!

By Jenn the Photographer from Buffalo, NY on 3/18/2011

5out of 5

This pan is very heavy, which is what you want in a cast iron skillet. It stays where you put it!! No sliding around on your burners.

This skillet heat up pretty quickly. By the time I was done trimming and cutting the meat, the heat was ready to go. The food cooked evenly, which was much appreciated by me.

When the stove top part of my recipe was done, it easily transferred to the oven for browning the top under my broiler. Another plus was that the chicken left the pan effortlessly, including the melted cheese.

I cleaned the pan immediately after use, and it was easy, I just used a nylon spatula to loosen the couple of bits left on the skillet. I enjoy my new kitchen toy, and can't wait to use it again.

(legalese)