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Monday, January 22, 2007

Deep, Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Tangerine Honey Frosting

Oh Yeah Baby.

A couple weeks ago as I was reading one of my new favorite blogs, Vanilla Garlic, I saw a challenge set forth from both Garrett and Cheryl of Cupcake Bakeshop asking everyone to create their own cupcake in celebration of.. well.. cupcakes!

I'm not a huge cupcake fan.. well, that's not correct. Of course I'm a huge cupcake fan, what's not to like? Yummy cake and frosting! Hello? What I meant was, for the most part, I don't even think of my muffin pan that much - I go for the 2 layer cakes (and we all know how well they usually turn out) or the 9" x 13" cake. Cupcakes are quite cute and boy do they help with portion control, but yeah, I don't go there often.

So one day last week, I decided to make a beautiful dark chocolate cake with equally beautiful dark chocolate ganache frosting.. and from reading the recipe, I knew the batter would also provide a dozen cupcakes as well as the beautiful 2 layer cake. So I retrieved my muffin pan from the dark depths of my cupboard and searched for my cupcake liners in the pantry.. finding both, I went about making the batter. Happily, I saw that the recipe did not lie and there was just enough batter for a dozen cupcakes left over.

After baking the "Mother" cake, I was a bit worried about how the cupcakes would turn out and gave thought to just ending their young lives right then and there.. kinda like putting them outta their misery before they could be miserable, yanno? But after debating with myself and getting over my fear of the possible horrors that lurked just around the corner, I decided to be brave and shoved the muffin pan in the hot oven, closed the door quickly and said a prayer.

Twenty minutes later, I thanked the Cupcake Gods because the offspring *cough* I mean the cute lil cupcakes turned out just gorgeous. Not one had an extra terrestrial brain. *shudder* Woo Hoo!

Happily, I allowed the lil cuties to cool completely and then I plunged them into a deep freeze to enjoy another day - after all, I did have their Mother to deal with and that was enough excitement for one day.

Yesterday was that day and I spent most of the morning trying to think up a funky flavored frosting. I didn't want to go with plain jane and I sure as shit didn't want ganache.. I wanted fruity of some sort. And I started thinking about my favorite chocolates - yanno the kind, deep dark chocolate enrobing fruity cream centers? I heart them. My favorite cream centers are orange and lemon. So's I already had the deep dark chocolate, but no oranges and the lemons I had were for dinner that night.. and then I remembered we had just purchased some lovely tangerines at the market a few days ago! Tangerine frosting! Party on! I found some cream cheese in the fridge and the other ingredients I'd need and whipped up the frosting in no time. After a taste though, it just wasn't right. It needed something and I didn't want to use any extracts.. back to the fridge I went hoping something would catch my eye. And that it did.. my bottle of honey! Oranges and honey go so well together - perfect! So's I added some honey and tasted.. I had myself a delicious new funk'dified frosting - exactly what I was going for.

Again, I want to give Molly the credit for the closest to the Ultimate Chocolate Cake I've ever had and will direct you to her blog for the cake recipe.

Deep, Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Tangerine Honey Frosting
Deep Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Tangerine Honey Frosting

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/4 c. butter (half a stick or 4 TBS.)
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. tangerine juice, freshly squeezed
the zest of one tangerine
1/4 c. honey

In the bowl of a mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add the sugar, juice, zest and honey and mix slowly until incorporated. If you find the frosting is a little thin, you can add more sugar or place in the fridge until it sets to the desired consistency you are looking for. I chilled mine for about 20 minutes.

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Comments on "Deep, Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Tangerine Honey Frosting"

 

Blogger Ilva said ... (1/22/2007 8:29 AM) : 

They look perfect to me! Brava!

 

Blogger MyKitchenInHalfCups said ... (1/22/2007 8:34 AM) : 

Just goes to show you some things work better different.
I love the swirls you got with that icing! I think these must be perfect flavors together.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/22/2007 10:12 AM) : 

aaww the babies look so cute with the yellow-orangey frosting! The Cupcake Gods have blessed you well!

 

Blogger Acme Instant Food said ... (1/22/2007 10:55 AM) : 

Wow, my dear, that frosting is some fine a$& food porn! Did you send the kids out of the room and then feed one to Wayne?

 

Blogger Brilynn said ... (1/22/2007 11:21 AM) : 

That's a damn good frosting choice! I was thinking of making a tangerine and chocolate souffle, but then I was lazy and just made chocolate, and then things went wrong, (more on that later) and they sucked. But I digress, your cupcakes look super!

 

Blogger Laura Rebecca said ... (1/22/2007 11:26 AM) : 

That's a brilliant combination. I think I'm going to faint from foodie desire!

 

Blogger Rachel said ... (1/22/2007 11:31 AM) : 

Lovely tasty sounding icing!

 

Blogger Callipygia said ... (1/22/2007 5:00 PM) : 

Orange milanos are my favorite, you cant beat that orange-chocolate combo. But tangerine! and honey... yes completely funkified- these are awesome.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/22/2007 7:58 PM) : 

I love cupcakes. Portion control? I just eat a dozen of them, so that takes the portion control thing away for me :)

Those are incredible looking cakes.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/23/2007 8:38 AM) : 

These are absolutely stunning! Glad to see the new camera is treating you well, as this is an incredible photo - I want to stick my finger in the icing and scoop some up to eat! Num!

 

Blogger Lis said ... (1/23/2007 12:33 PM) : 

Ilva - Yay! I always love when you visit =)

Tanna - Why thank you and yeah I agree the flavors together were almost perfect.

Veronica - They have! Let's hope the croissant Gods are in an equally good mood. ha!

Kev - lol no, actually he hasn't had one yet.. he said he's still full of the "mother" cake. Can't say as I blame him.

Bril - I look forward to hearing about your souffle story.. and if you didn't do the tangerine/chocolate one yet, you should! :D

LR - Please don't do that. =)

Rachel - Thanks!

Callipygia - I love them too. hehe

Kristen - I tell ya, if it weren't for being in chocolate cake overload, I would have my normal problem with portion control as well.

Ellie muh Luv - Thanks sweetie :D

 

Blogger Patricia Scarpin said ... (1/23/2007 12:54 PM) : 

Hi, Lis,

I'm in love with your cupcakes. Deeply, very much in love.

I don't always see tangerine recipes and this is a nice way to use them - with chocolate! :D

 

Blogger Helene said ... (1/23/2007 2:42 PM) : 

Great choice of frosting! Looks absolutely delicious! I love the little specks of zest showing through. That recipe looks very tempting...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/23/2007 3:10 PM) : 

It sounds like you're still a little put off with ganache lis! you should give it another shot. I did and it came out extremely well.

Those cupcakes look heavenly! I *might* just be tempted to give it a shot myself. (or better yet, bribe my wife into making them for me)

 

Blogger Gattina Cheung said ... (1/23/2007 3:35 PM) : 

oh honey! I mean you and that honey trick, both so clever! anything orange-y (tangerine in your case) combine with chocolate, I simply adore it!

 

Blogger Marianne said ... (1/23/2007 11:33 PM) : 

You are so sweet and I'm sorry I've been away so long.

 

Blogger Kirsten said ... (1/24/2007 1:49 AM) : 

Oh they look so delicious! I LOVE cupcakes of any kind.

Yum!

 

Blogger Sara said ... (1/24/2007 5:51 PM) : 

Boy, cupcakes are really eveywhere lately, aren't they? Hmmmm, I think I'll make some tonight. Way to mess up my diet Lis!!!!!

 

Blogger Monkey Wrangler said ... (1/24/2007 9:19 PM) : 

I started writing a comment yesterday after drooling all over my keyboard, but the added "humidity" prohibited me from finishing the job. With a now dry computer, at arm's length, I'd like to say emphatically DAMN, THESE LOOK GREAT! These are now the image that comes to mind when I think of cupcake. It probably exists already, but I would nominate your photo for an internationally recognized image of such. It says it all: cakey, festive, sumptuous, multiple.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/25/2007 3:10 AM) : 

Yeah, you are that much closer to finding the ultimate chocolate cake :)

 

Blogger Lis said ... (1/25/2007 5:45 AM) : 

Patricia - Thank you so much =) Thanks for stopping by!

Helen - Thanks sweetie - that was my favorite part of them too - the zesty flecks. hehe

Jerry - Well Jerry, ya know.. I admit to still be a lil scared, but I will give ganache a try again - it's chocolate, how could I not? ha!

Gattina - Thanks! The honey gives it a different flavor - not your ordinary orange/chocolate combo. I haven't decided yet if I love it or not. lol

Marianne - Yay! Am so happy you are back =)

Kirsten - thank you!

Sara - eek! I'm sorry.. I didn't know.. next time I'll put up a warning so you don't peek? =)

D-man - you are so sweet, thanks =)

Peabody - Yes.. but you know what I'd really like? For you to try this cake recipe and do something fabulous with it like you always do! :D

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1/26/2007 10:37 PM) : 

Where's mine? In the mail right?

 

Blogger Julie said ... (1/29/2007 10:28 AM) : 

Lis,
I was just scrolling through Garrett's round-up, looking at the many wonderful cupcakes, and these make me sit up and drool. When I saw that it was your creation, I was so delighted to know that I am already a fan of the baker! I love the combination of deep dark chocolate, citrus and honey to bring it all together...nice work, lady!

 

Blogger Eli said ... (5/25/2007 7:20 PM) : 

First of all, I'm really fond of cupcakes. Yesterday I found the picture of these gorgeous cupcakes on the Cupcake Bakeshop blog and I fell in love! Today, some friends came over for dinner and I did your recipe. I must say, they came out PERFECT! The best texture ever! The only thing I will try to keep in mind is not to make such a strong coffee (I drink espresso-like) and add only 85g of dark chocolate (I put the whole 100g bar). The other thing is to use tangerine instead of the clementine, the only thing I had on hand (couldn't find at the supermarket this morning). Still, fabulous taste. Conclusion: one of the top 5 best cupcakes I have ever tasted! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

Blogger Lis said ... (5/26/2007 6:56 AM) : 

Eli - I just have to say.. you made my week! When I read your comment last night, not only did a huge grin spread across my face but I think I also "squeeeee!"'d a lil bit. hehe

I'm so happy you liked them =)

xoxo

 

Blogger bethany said ... (6/11/2007 10:08 PM) : 

Aaaah I made this today, but because I couldn't find tangerines (what?) I used an orange and it is still delicious. Major props for tasty-tasty frosting that I will use to fatten up all my friends. Bwa ha ha ha!! :)

 

Blogger Lis said ... (6/16/2007 6:24 PM) : 

Beth - lol I'm so glad you liked it! I think that frosting would go great with any citrus.. one day I will try limes.. hopefully key-limes. *swoon*

Thanks for letting me know!!

xoxo

 

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