Chocolate Fudge Cookie Stuffed Cupcakes With Chocolate & Vanilla Butter Cream

I recently celebrated my 18th birthday and decided to create an extra special cupcake just for my special day. I combined some of my favorite flavors and managed to stuff it all into one cute little cupcake! I knew from the moment I took the cupcakes out of the oven that everything was going to be delicious... and I was right! Stuffed with the most decadent cookie, these chocolate cupcakes satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. I hope you all enjoy them as much I did. And always remember: "Life's short, eat a cupcake!"

Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes:
1 box chocolate cake mix of your choice.

Prepare as directed; bake according to directions on box.

Cookie Dough Center:
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add 1 egg and the vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips; mixing just enough to evenly combine. Form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls; place onto a baking sheet, and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

Vanilla Butter Cream Frosting:½ c. butter.
½ c. margarine.
3 c. confectioners’ sugar. (SIFTED!)
1 tbsp. vanilla.
¼ tsp. salt.
2 tbsp. milk.

Beat butter and margarine for a few minutes at medium speed. Add confectioners’ sugar and reduce mixer to low speed. Blend until sugar is incorporated. Increase to medium speed and add vanilla, salt, and milk. Beat for 3 minutes. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with miniature chocolate chips.


Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting:
½ cup butter
½ cup margarine
3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons milk

Cream butter and margarine for a few minutes on medium speed. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and milk and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.


Enjoy!






　

Sprinkles Cupcakes NYC

Just a few short years ago, in Los Angeles, CA, I visited the very first cupcake bakery, Sprinkles Cupcakes, founded by the one and only, Candace Nelson. Located on the west coast, and, me, living on the east coast, I could not wait until Sprinkles came to an area near me. Finally, in early 2011, Sprinkles opened a new location in New York City! I was super duper excited and couldn't wait to go back so I could enjoy that delicious cupcake that I haven't stopped dreaming about. After all those years of waiting for that cupcake, I returned to Sprinkles the other day! For their Holiday special, Sprinkles was offering a unique flavor for the month: Eggnog Spice Cupcake. The moist spice cake was complimented by a creamy eggnog frosting that simply melted in your mouth. While I enjoyed my eggnog cupcake, my parents were delighted by the most wonderful chocolate cupcake topped with only the best chocolate frosting. For a cupcake queen, like me, this wasn't just a visit to some cupcake bakery, but the highlight of my week!

For those cupcake lovers, like me, I highly suggest you visit the nearest Sprinkles. As a matter of fact, it is totally worth hopping on a plane if you are not within driving distance. I would never lie about cupcakes, so it is safe to say that these are the world's best little treats!





Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Tomorrow is the big day! I am entering my very first baking competition and, as of right now, I am very confident! The cupcakes are moist and extremely flavorful, the frosting is creamy, and the chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and oh so chocolatey! Even if the judges don't agree, I feel like a winner! So, after hours of baking and perfecting, the goodies were ready for their close up!

Rum Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream.

A friend of mine had been begging me to make him rum cupcakes for the longest time (maybe even about a year now) and today was the day I finally got down to it! I was a little skeptical at first since I have never made a rum cake before and I was not sure how a rum cake recipe would work in cupcake pans, but overall, it turned out to be one of the best baking experiences ever! The frosting was so creamy and delicious, but I would advise you to double the recipe because I ran out towards the end and I like to use ALOT of frosting. I also had alot of batter left over and decided to make mini cupcakes which are perfect for a little snack in case you don't want to over indulge on the larger ones.

So, Chris, these cupcakes are for you! I know it took a little longer then it should have, but I really think you're going to like them! Enjoy!!!

Rum CupCakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter
4 eggs
1 3.4-ounce package (dry) instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup dark rum

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix at medium speed for two minutes. Be sure not to overbeat! Pour into muffin cups. Place in a 350-degree oven. Bake for 20-22 mins or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
*For mini cupcakes: Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 mins.
　
　
　

Classic Vanilla Buttercream
 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups confectioners sugar, SIFTED!
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
　
Beat butter for 2 minutes with a mixer on medium speed. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn mixer on the lowest speed. Mix until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk and beat for 3 minutes. 　

London, England Bakeries!

On my recent trip to London, England, I had to visit a few of London's finest bakeries. London, being the most beautiful city in the entire world!, also has some of the most beautiful bakeries and baked goods. During my frequent bakery searches, I came across some bakeries that really stood out. The first one was called Primrose Bakery. Primrose Bakery had to be the smallest place I've ever seen, but they could make one heck of a cupcake! I had the pleasure of tasting their Oreo Cupcake, which, honestly, couldn't have been more delicious!

 (I wish I took a picture of my cupcake, but it was gone in no time!)

Anyway... the next bakery I came across was called Candy Cakes. This place is a real eye-catcher! Bright blue, bright pink, bright yellow and green! You just couldn't pass it up, and I'm so glad I didn't! The cupcake menu was endless! Being a banana and toffee lover, I had the pleasure of sampling one of London's finest flavors, Banoffee (banana toffee).

Ahhh.... and now let me tell you about what I like to call "A Dream Come True"- Harrod's Department Store. Unlike most department stores, Harrod's is one of a kind. What's better then shopping and eating all at the same time? Um....nothing comes to my mind! Harrod's has its very own floor dedicated to food! This floor is also known as the "Food Hall". Meats, sandwiches, meals-to-go, desserts, desserts, desserts, and also some more desserts! Being the baker that I am, I tend to notice the sweets more then anything else. So, my camera and I took a little tour of the Food Hall and captured some of these great pictures!

And last, but not least, Camden Market and Covent Garden. Camden Market is a very unique market, held on the weekends, that is filled with the most random, yet exquisite things. For example, the huge Donut Cart!

Covent Garden was another market filled with shops and entertainment. Covent Garden was the location of Candy Cakes and a few other bakeries and sweet shops.



Well that about does it! The best vacation of my life! Not to mention, I was there for the Royal Wedding! Such an exciting week and also a very delicious week! London is by far one of the best cities for those of us with a sweet tooth!