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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

TWD: 2nd Anniversary - Cocoa Buttermilk Cupcakes & Happy 2nd Blogiversary to Me!


Today marks the Second Anniversary post of Tuesdays with Dorie! I can't believe how far we've come! Thank you to Laurie for creating the group and to Dorie for her support and expertise - I know I'm not alone when I say that this group has been life changing and so much fun!

I also find it hard to believe that Monday (January 4th) marked my 2nd Blogiversary here at PheMOMenon! It has been a fun and wild ride, that is for sure! With this current pregnancy and trying to play catch up from the holidays, I have to admit I am still a bit behind, but I do have some fun ideas and things in mind for the coming year. I can't say it enough, so thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to all my friends and readers for coming here in the first place and giving me a 'home' to express myself and enjoy all your amazing like-minded company - you all ROCK my world!

I've said it many, many times over the course of my TWD membership (almost the full two-years, but not quite) and I really do believe that Baking From My Home To Yours is hands down THE BEST baking book out there. If you like to bake even a little, you absolutely shouldn't be without this book! (And I really can't wait until this coming Fall when Dorie's new book Around the French Table comes out!!!!)

For the anniversary recipe, Laurie has kindly hosted and you can find the original recipes there. The group voted on a few choices, but the winners of the vote were for the Cocoa Buttermilk Birthday Cake and the Tarte Tatin. I chose to make a half batch of the Cocoa Buttermilk cake and turn them into cupcakes, which gave me a bakers' dozen.

Rather than make the malted chocolate frosting though, I opted to just do a thick whipped cream flavored liberally with cocoa powder, a little vanilla and plenty of confectioners' sugar - a concoction which happens to be one of my favorite simple frostings and fillings for chocolate cake. Incidentally, I found that I needed to bake my cupcakes almost as long as I would have needed to bake the cake layers. The cake itself had a nice chocolatey flavor. While not my favorite chocolate cake recipe, it was still delicious and easy.

Happy Anniversary fellow TWD Bakers!



Cocoa Whipped Frosting
Recipe by PheMom (adapted from a family friend)

1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and beat thoroughly until smooth and very thick and spreadable - texture will start to become almost buttery. Spread onto cupcakes or use as layer cake filling. Yields about 3 cups frosting. Keep chilled until serving.

23 comments:

chocolatechic said...

I made the tarte. Your cake looks lovely.

slush said...

Your cupcakes are sooo cute. Fab photos babe. Thanks for sticking with me all this time. So glad to have you in the group. Much love to you and your sweet boys. XO

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary!! I love your blog, and can't wait to join the TWD group soon~ just have to get the book- I think I may go get it today... I want to start the year off with TWD!
Your cupcakes are quite yummy looking =)
Yep, you have motivated me to visit B&N today, TWD, here I come!
www.rachsblogbite.com

Dorie said...

It's so exciting -- incredible really -- that TWD is celebrating its second birthday, but it's thanks to the amazing Laurie and great people like you. What a group!

Happy Blogiversary to you and bravo on your good-looking cupcakes.

Susan said...

Great photos as always! Your cupcakes look so moist and yummy. I didn't have such luck with the cake version, but it's always a learning process. :)

Katrina said...

Ooh, your icing sounds really good. I'll have to try that, as my husband has butter-creamy frostings.
Your cupcakes look a lot chocolatier than mine!
Happy 2 years, Holly! Love your blog!

Stephanie said...

Your cupcakes look delicious!

Happy blogiversary!

Megan said...

Happy 2 year blogaversary!!! How quickly time flies, huh? The cupcakes look tasty and a great way to celebrate!

Gourmified said...

Looks Delish! I need to skip this week and am bummed. Happy blogiversary

Kayte said...

Thinking this is a great cupcake recipe as guys around here aren't that great at eating a large cake...yours look good. Recipe for frosting appreciated...always looking for new ones there to keep it interesting. Happy New Year! Hope all is well with you and baby!

Cristine said...

Happy blogiversary! Your cupcakes look delicious!

Jodie said...

Happy blogiversary to you! I made cupcakes, too. Yours look yummy!

ostwestwind said...

Happy blogiversary, your cupcakes sound and look delicious

Ulrike @Küchenlatein

Jennifer said...

YUM! Your cupcakes look divine!

Memória said...

Happy blogiversary!!!!!!!!!! The cupcakes look fantastic!

Barbara Bakes said...

Congratulations on 2 great years! I hope 2010 is your best year yet!

Leslie said...

These look yummy! Your cocoa whipped cream has me curious...I may have to try these just to make that!

Anonymous said...

Your cupcakes look great! And thanks for giving me something to look forward to this fall. Now, I'm eagerly anticipating Dorie's new book!

TeaLady said...

Those cuppys look soo moist and delicious.

I have learned so much, not only from Dorie, but from all my fellow bakers. Y'all are too much.

The Food Librarian said...

Oh! These cupcakes look delicious. I made the tarte tatin but can't wait to make the cake! - mary

Unknown said...

The cupcakes look wonderful, Holly - I think I'll have to try the cake that way when I get around to trying it. Happy Blogiversary, too!

Unknown said...

I made the cupcakes this week too Holly! Yours look wonderful - love the frosting choice.

Happy Blogiversary! I just celebrated my second anniversary too :)

Di said...

Happy (belated) blogiversary! I didn't realize how many of us started blogging within weeks of each other. Your cupcakes look yummy, and easy frosting is always a good thing. =)

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