To All My Valentines-

What a weekend! At one point in my life Valentines Day meant nothing. But The Editor changed that around for me! This year he treated me to 2 dozen roses at work, tickets to New Kids On the Block (yes I know I am sooo 90's). He also treated me to a Chocolate Buffet at the Ritz Carlton in Boston. Oh my what an experience. We sat in a decadent lobby watching all sorts of people wander in and out of the hotel. People watching is my 2nd favorite hobby (following closely behind baking). They had a table all decked out in chocolate. Chocolate milk, strawberries, home made marshmallows with sauce and truffles. There had to be at least 30 kinds of chocolate there. When the chef came out I chatted her up for a few, she recommended the mouse. It was so light and airy, like angels wings. Simply amazing. I think I tried everything that was there, some twice.

Before I was treated to this decadence, I spent all day finishing off the last of the Valentine Cupcake orders. I made 3 kinds of cupcakes, I did Mocha with mocha butter cream, lemon zest with lemon butter cream, and "better than sex chocolate". I had tried several chocolate cupcake recipes, but had not found one that I truly loved, until I came across Katie's page at The Cupcake Project. Boy was she right!!! These are *almost* better than sex chocolate cupcakes. But as far as cupcakes go... I think they are amazing. I chose not to put the chocolate chips into them for now, but I can't WAIT to try that.

The recipe is as follows, definitely worth a try if you have time **if not call me, I will make them for you!! ;-)**

Makes 16 regular cupcakes.

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoons vanilla
• 2/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined. Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a small sized bowl and whisk to combine. Measure out the milk and vanilla and stir to combine. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

I am off to finish some of the cleaning and laundry I have neglected while I have had fun filling orders for friends and family... for now, here are some pictures to enjoy.

Mission #1 complete

I made it through my first order pick up! It was a tad hectic, but we made it! My friend T called and asked for some cupcakes for her boyfriend's birthday. He wanted 12 strawberry "OMG those are big ass" cupcakes. Since he likes to hunt and is a tad redneck I decided he could not just have pink cupcakes with white frosting. NO WAY! This is a guy who goes camping and likes to hunt!! Heck he kicks my butt at Big Buck Hunter whenever I am over. Anyhow I decided he needed camo cupcakes.

The first batch I was not a big fan of. I used a few too many egg whites and cake flour. So on the 2nd batch I used more pureed strawberries and regular flower and of course fewer egg whites. Perfection!! And much to my shock, I loved how my camo came out. Even the editor was impressed!! T sent a picture of the birthday boy chowing down on his cupcake and said they were a huge hit!! The batter tasted like strawberry ice cream and the cuppies were fluffy and tasty. So for now I leave you with some pictures. Drool... then email me and tell me what I can make for you!