Baby, Its Cold Outside

I'm running just a but hyper-energized, what with receiving my certification, nabbing a job (tutoring community college students), and an interview at an ACTUAL SCHOOL.  I've already vacuumed my carpet to a beautiful fluffy finish, so alas, more blogging!

Today's topic? Hot Chocolate Cupcakes!

The inspiration for this cupcake came many moons ago.  My super fabulous Uncle mike tipped me off to the cupcakes at..Wegman's.  Yea that's right-the grocery store.  During our Christmas food shopping, I mosied on over to the confections case and checked out the cupcakes.  They had an adorable marshmallow & chocolate cupcake, with all sorts of pretty piping.  And the idea hit me like a flash: make this at my former workplace (my home away from home, and use chocolate lava cake, to make it seem like hot chocolate.

Any chocolate cupcake recipe works here.  I used the gluten-free lava cake recipe from The Cupcake Diaries.

The key to gluten-free?  Read the directions before you mix.  Over-mixing the flour makes it look very odd.

I consider myself a professional children's baker.  Having made dozens of cupcakes with kids, I know what elements make for the most fun.  The oven at school hates me, and I burned half the stuff I made, so sometimes, I baked at home.  How are pre-made cupcakes fun for kids?  You need multiple steps and components to engage the kids and teach them techniques at the same time.

First, we made the marshmallow buttercream.  This consists of a jar of fluff, a few tablespoons of sour cream, and a little vanilla.  The toughest part for me is getting it out of the container.  But once you do, you're set.

Next, we set up an assembly line.  The kids had to core the middle from their cupcake (or have my wonderful friend Miss Patty help) and spoon in warm chocolate ganache.  Then, they replaced the core, and frosted with the marshmallow buttercream.  Finally, they dusted the top with cocoa powder (just a smidge) and mini marshmallows.  The result?  A gooey, sticky, delicious mess that the munchkins loved.

Actual child's cupcake

I need a latte!

I had a very exciting day recently.  I made my second trip to Georgetown Cupcake!

I trekked my way downtown, and with the help of an iphone and liking Georgetown's facebook page, you get their secret off-the-menu and FREE cupcake!  Priceless knowledge, I assure you.  I have scrolled over this info so many times and never gotten one-until now!!!  Free cupcakes always taste amazing.                                                                          

So on this particular visit, I was dying to try the May seasonal flavor of Hibiscus Mango (the orange one with the flower on it). Other people are often confused about why I enjoy floral cupcakes.  I love anything original.  This cupcake was very fruity, and you could definitely taste the flower.  I probably wouldn't eat another, but it was fun to taste such a unique treat.  I also got a lemon berry cupcake, which was decent, but I've had better.  I tasted no raspberry flavor there.  I was disappointed with the cookies'n cream, and it tasted so off and buttery I couldn't finish it.  The hazelnut was fun, and I'd like to try to make one myself. 

The chocolate sprinkled cupcake was a gift for one of the kids I work with-he watches the show "DC Cupcakes" and wanted to try one so badly that I gave him the chocolate birthday one.  His report?   The cupcake was delicious!!

After Georgetown,i went to find Baked & Wired.  We walked there, and found an interesting array of hipsters.  In need of a jolt of caffeination, I got a vanilla latte cupcake-what a great idea, right????  It was mighty delciious,  but a tad large.
This cupcake makes me want to bake more coffee-inspired cupcakes-look forward to that!