2.28.2010

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes for Chip


Last week, our friend Chip installed new flooring in our kitchen. It was much needed, and much appreciated. As thanks {as if it would be adequate to my appreciation} I made Chip some cupcakes. Actually, I made Chocolate Chip Cupcakes for Chip. ha!

Really it is quite simple to make. Today I wasn't feeling my best {stress, fatigue} so I took shortcuts. All you need for the cupcakes is a box of yellow cake mix, the stuff the box asks for, and a cup of chocolate chips. If I were you, I'd use mini chips, because I used the regular size and they happened to sink to the bottom. Not cool. Better "luck" next time.

What really brought my mood up, though, was the way my frosting turned out! I've always had a problem with my frosting, but today... today I dare say that it was perfect!

Here's the recipe for the frosting:

12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
- Beat butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
-Reduce speed to medium.
-Add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating after each addition, about 5 minutes. (After every 2 additions, increase speed to high, and beat for 10 seconds, then reduce speed to medium-high). Add vanilla, and beat until buttercream is smooth. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. (Bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth before using.)
Martha's Basic Buttercream

And to make it chocolate chip icing, just mix in two cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.


I used a couple of ways to soften my butter. The first stick I used a roller with the butter between two sheets of wax paper. This was all good and well until I had to peel it off of the wax paper. The second trick I used was to stick the sticks in the microwave for 14 seconds. That worked better. I did that for my remaining two.


Beaten Butter.


My fluffy {for once!} frosting!

After you've got all that done, frost your cupcakes. It may not turn out super smooth, but it still looks nice and tastes even better!



And here's my trial cupcake.... are you ready for this?









Oh, it was fantastic.

Tell me if you try it!

2 comments:

Micah said...

I saw on the food network today to mix the chips in with the dry ingredients. They said the flower coats them and helps them not to sink. Then they said to add the dry ingredients to the wet a little at a time. Haven't tried it yet, but maybe it works!

Kristen said...

Ooohh! Thanks for the tip, Micah!!

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