Lovin in the Oven

One of the cute girl's I work with has a little bun in the oven, if you will.

She is due anytime now, how exciting!

Tomorrow is her baby shower.

I'm bringing cupcakes.

Of course, I borrowed (another) recipe from yourcupofcake.com for the occasion.

*Disclaimer: I made some slight adaptations to Miss Lizzy's recipe

I'm probably obsessed with that blog...

If you haven't already, go check out her stuff.  She is like a cupcake goddess or something!

Hope they are a hit tomorrow.

But, I think it is impossible to go wrong with a cupcake!

Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

Cupcake Ingredients:

1 box devils food cake mix

3 eggs

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. milk

 1/4 c. water

1 t. vanilla extract

1 c. sour cream

Ganache:

1 stick of butter

5 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c. heavy whipping cream

1 t. lemon juice

1 t. vanilla extract

3 c. powdered sugar

Strawberry Buttercream: 

(to frost 24 cupcakes)

8 oz. cream cheese

2 sticks butter

1 c. strawberry jam

(I like the flavor to be very apparent.  You can use more or less to taste)

2 c. powdered sugar

(Or slightly more or slightly less...adjust to the thickness you want)

4 drops red food coloring

(for a darling baby-pink coloring)

Cupcake Directions:

Beat together eggs. Add oil, milk, water, and vanilla, and beat well.

Add in cake mix.

Beat in an electric mixer for a few minuets to make sure everything has combined together very well!

Add the sour cream.

Spoon into cupcake trays lined with cute papers of your choice.

Fill only 1/2-2/3 of the way full.

Don't over fill the little guys!  Frosting is so much easier when they aren't too plump on top...

(I'm still trying to master this idea.  Somehow, I ALWAYS manage to over-fill mine! Just an excuse to keep practicing I guess!)

Bake at 350 degrees for 14-17 minuets, or until a toothpick come out clean.

Ganache Directions:

Melt butter in a small saucepan.

Add cocoa powder, lemon juice, and vanilla.

Bring to a rolling boil and after one minuet, remove from heat.

Add powdered sugar.

Whisk well.

Pour in whipping cream.

Continue to whisk mixture vigorously until all lumps are gone and ganache is a thick and gooey liquid.

Dip the tops of the cakes right in the ganache to give them a nice coating.

Frosting Direction:

Beat everything in an electric mixer.

Spoon into a piping bag and after everything is completely cool decorate away!

Welcome Sweet Baby!  Oh Happy Life!