Friday, August 27

[delightful} a chocolate hug


Another summer is over! Sob, sniff, ok WAaaaaaa! Really I love the easy of summer. The lazy mornings, the long nights, a good book or two. During the summer I actually get to see my kids play! I have more time to think ... to be inspired. I love summer.


I also love summer because I have time to go to the farmers market. Pick through the best produce, grill meats, chop and mix, well lets face it I just get to spend more time in the kitchen. I actually plan and execute meals for my family are they are around to eat them. Brilliant.

So ... it is time for a big hug to say good-bye to summer. Now you would think I would pick a farm fresh item - a juicy fruit, or some sort of wonderful ice cream to hail the end of summer.


No not this time. This time it will be my good friend chocolate that does the trick. I have been searching for my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe for some time ... well folks I am happy to say my search has ended. This rendered unending praise from my most sought after judges - my kids of course. They loved them. Their friend that was over - loved them. The cake is moist and rich and the frosting is a whipped dollop of everything good. I think I even heard a collective sigh when they all bit into their cake.


These are good. They stop you in your tracks. I literally sat down to enjoy (not just the small little intended bite of cupcake), I sat down and savored an entire cupcake. Bite after bite ... and then it happened ... I could feel the chocolate hug ... how happy!

It was funny at the same time I came across this .... the Derek Trucks Band "Sweet Inspiration". I am suggesting that you whip up a batch of cup cakes, pour a tall glass of milk and sit down, slow down and play this song and experience it all!





So farewell summer old friend. Now its time for soup, pumpkins, wonderful robust colors, and cooler weather. Hmmmm ..... see ya summer!



chocolate hug cup cakes & everything good whipped icing by ann west

4 oz good quality semisweet chocolate
1 1/4 cup hot brewed coffee
3 c sugar
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 c unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs
3/4 c vegetable oil
1 1/2 c buttermilk - shaken
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325. Prepare your pans. Chop chocolate in a bowl and pour the hot coffee over to melt. Stir. In a large bowl sift all of the dry ingredients. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thick then slowly add oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Then slowly add the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Add the dry ingredients one cup at a time. Mix until just combined and let sit. Scoop into cup cake liners up to 3/4 full. These will rise but they stay a little flat. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes. And cool.

everything good chocolate icing by ann west

1 brick cream cheese - room temp
1 1/2 stick unsalted butter - room temp
1/2 cup sour cream
(now you know why it is call everything good)
pinch of salt
1/2 cup dutch cocoa
2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Cream all of those yummy ingredients (cream cheese, butter, sour cream). Sift cocoa and powder sugar and add mixing well. Add salt and vanilla. And whip. You will have to slap your hand away from the bowl at this point because it smells and looks like a dream.

Ice and enjoy!

7 comments:

Kristen In London said...

Well, Ann, summer's not quite over at my house, but I'll make these for a farewell brunch on Sunday... I don't even go nuts for chocolate, but if you, my friend, say it's the best, I'm IN. Thanks!

Char said...

you remind me of how much i love derek trucks.... great blues is always a summer soundtrack when i'm sitting outside.

Mary Bergfeld said...

I love these cupcakes and your photos of them have made the irresistible. I must give these a try. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

amy and ann said...

ann, these look yummy!!!!!! great to see you friday night.
:)

knack said...

perfection.....:)

Sadie said...

these look amazing

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