Chocolate Coca-Cola Cupcakes with Whiskey Buttercream Frosting

Well it’s been a while, and for those of you who follow the blog: I say ‘thank you’. I don’t nearly get enough opportunities to bake between my day job’s ever changing hours,or to the fact I have a car loan to pay off,or the fact I seem to go to Disney World every three months or so. But luckily I had an excuse to bake recently, and as per my M.O.: these were birthday cupcakes for my coworker and good friend who I call Barbie. (Yes, I tend to nickname most of my coworkers)

Barbie loves whiskey and I wanted to do something a little different than the Chocolate Whiskey cupcakes I did for Drinky’s birthday back in April, so I stumbled on this great recipe that uses coca-cola soda in the batter. It was a really moist cake and I jacked the frosting up with a lot whiskey to give it a real boozey kick when you bite into the cupcake.

For the record: my whiskey of choice is Jameson, being the good Irish boy I am. But this recipe would be great (and probably more appropriate with Jack Daniels)

Recipe found at: http://bakingforneighbors.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/jack-and-coke-cupcakes/

Mini Champagne Cupcake with Champagne Frosting and a silver dragee

Once again, two of my favorite thingstogether in one, Champagne and cupcakes! Now champagne is always a real treat, since I only buy it for special occasions (because I am classy like that)so when it comes to cupcakes,I knew I had to make these for a special occasion. I made these once before for New Year’s Eve, but this time I made them for the finale of my favorite guilty pleasure, RuPaul’s Drag Race. If you don’t watch the show, you really are missing out.

Unlike the last time I made champagne cupcakes, these weren’t overcooked, the frosting held up a lot better since I left it to chill overnight before applying it to the cupcake, AND I bought dragees and really nice gel dye to give the cupcakes that barbie doll hot pink color I wanted the first time around.

the cupcake has a really light fluffy taste to it, and almost a  fruity undertone, which I think might be from the Moet and Chandon I used. I am going to try different champagnes to see if it affects the taste any.

Rice Krispies Chocolate ‘Moose’

This was a second gift for Drinky’s birthday (the cupcakes in the previous post being the first). Drinky and I have had this inside joke about moose practically since we have been working together, which has been years. He loves moose, and I said I would get him a moose for his birthday. Lo and behold, this was the outcome.

I molded the moose free hand  by taking a total shot in the dark, and I am so pleased with how the shape came out. His antlers gave me some issues, so I ‘glued’ them back to the head with marshmallow fluff before he got a chocolate bath. Sadly, I only had abut 20 minutes to chocolate dip and give him eyes, so they are a little wonky, hence his derp expression.

Chocolate Whiskey Cupcake with Vanilla Whiskey Buttercream Frosting

These were way overdue! I’ve been dying to making a chocolate whiskey cupcake for about two months now, and I finally got the opportunity to make them for my coworker, Drinky’s birthday. His favorite liquor since we met is whiskey, and he asked for something with chocolate for his cupcake. I LOVE this cupcake, it was a great whiskey taste to it, and the extra strong coffee added to it makes it even better. The frosting could probably use more liquor, but I did not want to overpower the rest of the cupcake with a blatant booze taste to them.

Disney Funfetti Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

these aren’t mine, they are my mom’s cupcakes, but its the ~special birthday edition~ since I just turned 23 and spent my weekend at Disneyworld. So my mom made me these tasty goodies

Mini Chocolate Guinness Cupcake with Bailey’s Cream Cheese Frosting

As I mentioned in my intro post, I am Irish. Not one of those ‘Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s’ types, both my paternal grandparents are Irish Immigrants. County Kerry if anyone is interested. So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and my Irish roots, I figured it would only be appropriate to do a Guinness cupcake paired with a Bailey’s frosting. I’ll be busy on the actual holiday and won’t be at my job either, so I had to make them early.

These were interesting cupcakes, I’m undecided about the batter itself, I think it needs some vanilla or something to sweeten it up, but I also hold a bias because I do not like beer AT ALL! Baking, Bartending, and Drinking: I am 90% a hard liquor guy. But that being said, I will probably have an update tomorrow since these are going out for a taste test at my job.

I am un-decided if I will keep this recipe or find a different one

Recipe At: http://www.food.com/recipe/guinness-cupcakes-with-baileys-frosting-360499

Hope to get back into baking and post upon my return.

I can do 7 cupcakes in about seven minutes or so in the maker. Its totally faster than the oven.

I just bought a 24 pan so I can make a batch in the over while the maker cooks some too, so I’m not up all night baking.

Chocolate Cupcake with Raspberry Buttercream Frosting and Chocolate Ganache Drizzle and Raspberry Jam Core

One of my bosses was leaving my store today and while I only knew her for a year, I took a real liking to her, so I asked her what kind of cupcake she would want as a going away present and she said ‘Chocolate and Raspberry’. I knew that I needed something with fresh berries and a chocolate drizzle, so I whipped this little number up. The frosting was very watery because of the berry juice, so while it doesnt look pretty, it tastes amazing (and the berry garnish helps make it look nicer). The ganache drizzle actually from the s’more cupcake from my last post, waste not- want not :3

She loved the cupcakes, and said they were one of the best ones I made and she loved the fun surprise of a jam center when she bite into the cake.