Welcome to the first installment of my Cupcake Project.  You can read more about it in a later installment where I will define the rules of my project (because I like rules.) I’ll be sharing pictures, but because I’m cooking my way through Martha’s Cupcake Cookbook, and I’m a lawyer afraid of copyright infringement, I won’t be publishing the recipes.  But, should you want to replicate these cupcakes, the recipe can be found on page 22 of Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes.

Note: If you like cupcakes, be sure to read ALL THE WAY to the bottom. ;)

Without further ado, I bring you CUPPY #1: Choco Chip with Dark Choco Icing:

The beauty of baking as an adult?  You get to eat the raw batter without getting scolded.

All golden, fluffy, and yummy.

Onward to the icing.  Thank you Mr. New Handmixer, for without you, none of this could have been done.

It’s a good thing butter is sooooo delish.

As is loooots o’ choco and cocoa powder.

The FINISHED PRODUCT:

Which required a very serious scientific tasting process:

Rating:

  • Availability of Ingredients: A+ (normal stuff, eggs, flour, chocochips…etc.)
  • Ease of Prep: A (Easy peasy (if you have a mixer, either a hand-number or a stand mixer (ala the coveted kitchenaid))
  • Time: A (cake prep about 20min, bake 25min, icing prep about 15-20min)
  • Appearance: B+ (purrrrty, but nothing special)
  • Cake (texture and taste): B+ (fresh out of the oven, they were moist and springy and delish.  but, by the time I had one with icing a few hours later, the cupcake seemed a little dry)
  • Icing (texture and taste): B (tasty.  but not as chocolatey as it was “supposed” to be)
  • Final Grade: A- (Next time, moister cake…chocolatier icing.  Then it would be A+)

OK, here’s the best part…(for you guys)!!!  I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to be doing with all of these cupcakes I’m making.  And that’s where you, all my lovely readers, come in.  Who wants to help me by eating some cupcakes? Starting in May (I’m giving myself time to figure out the logistics) I’ll start mailing out cupcakes! :-D Soooooooo.

If you like cupcakes.  And you like me.  Drop me an email (penelope@penatpeace.com) and tell me when your birthday is and your address…and get ready to be surprised (or not really surprised) by some bday-time cupcakes! :)