April 30, 2014
I made these mini cupcakes a couple of weekends ago for a family get-together. My cousin ate one… then two… then three. She walked up to me as she was peeling the lining off the fourth one, “Jojo. These cupcakes are so good. This is my fourth one!” Granted they were mini, but still. Eating four of anything can only mean good things.
I pieced this delectable recipe together from two of my favorite cookbooks: The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook
and Nick Malgieri’s Perfect Cakes
. Ganache is one of my favorite things, so you can imagine my delight when I realized you could just add some butter to it, whip it up, and use it in place of frosting and filling on cakes. AWESOME. It’s definitely my new favorite thing to spread on pretty much anything! Like my fingers! Before I lick it up! Yummmm :].
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February 27, 2014
Two Christmases ago, my mother in law gave us a huge tin of Starbucks Hot Cocoa Mix
. I’m picky about my hot cocoa, and get especially snobby when people think hot chocolate mix and hot cocoa are the same thing. They. Are. Not. The packets you find near the hot water dispenser at summer camp are way too sweet, and they can be mixed into water. They serve their purpose in warming you up a degree or two during chilly campfire sharings that go late into the night, but… that’s about it. My cup of hot cocoa is one that is mixed into hot milk, offering a warm-you-to-your-toes balance of creamy dark chocolate goodness and just a hint of sweet.
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