Howdy Y’all!
For those who do not know me, there is this very strange quirk I have that I figured I clue you in on. I’m OBSESSED with birthdays. I’m not sure if it was the baking, or the presents, or the utter happiness and joy but, I LOVE THEM! Also, I should be very clear. When I say I’m obsessed, I really mean it. I don’t just celebrate my birthday… I celebrate my half birthday, my mirthday (monthly birthday), and tirthday (time birthday). It is highly possible I created the last two.
So, now you understand my obsession. This week was not only my good friend’s birthday, but my best friend’s half birthday. My best friend loves to lie about her age, she thinks if she starts lying early it will be more believable later on. So to assist in the confusion of her actual age, I only celebrate her half birthday.
So, obviously I needed to bake for my friends! They are both chocolate lovers, so I figured I’d kill them with chocolate. So I made pretty red velvet cupcakes with a surprise inside…
I like to call them OMG cupcakes. Because, when you bite in you can’t help but say “OH MY GANACHE!!”
OhMyGanache Cupcakes
Cupcakes
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1.5 cup granulated sugar
2 egg
4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
6 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2.25 cup tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
Tools
1 large mixing bowl
1 small mixing bowl
hand mixer or whisk
cupcake pan with cupcake liners
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Put the sugar and butter in the large mixing bowl and cream on high until light and fluffy (2-4 minutes).
3. Add the egg to the sugar butter mixture and mix on high until well incorporated
4. Take the small mixing bowl and add cocoa powder, red food coloring, and vanilla extract and mix them together into a paste
5. Add the red paste in to the large mixing bowl and mix until completely incorporated and uniform color
6. Now with the mixer on low speed add 1/3 of the buttermilk then add 1/3 of the flour and mix until incorporated. Continue to repeat the process twice more until the batter is smooth
7. Now add the baking soda, vinegar, and salt. Beat on high until completely smooth
8. Now take the baking pan and fill each cupcake 3/4 of the way
9. Place pan in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick placed in the center of the cupcake comes out dry
7. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Ganache
8 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup of Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
Tools
1 small saucepan
1 medium mixing bowl
1 spatula
1 apple corer
1. Bring heavy cream to a boil
2. Pour heavy cream over chocolate in medium mixing bowl and stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixed in
3. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined
4. Now grab those delicious cupcakes you just made and let cool
5. Take the apple corer and make a hole in the center of each cupcake
6. Fill in each hole with ganache!
Frosting
8 ounces butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon of milk
Tools
1 large mixing bowl
hand mixer or whisk
1. Place sugar, cream cheese, and butter and cream on high speed for 4-6 minutes
2. Put the hand mixer on low speed and add powdered sugar one cup at a time until completely incorporated
3. Add milk and vanilla and mix the frosting for 2-3 minutes on high speed until light and fluffy
