My son's class was having a Christmas party earlier in the week, and he volunteered me to make cupcakes. Thanks! I never mind baking, but I get nervous when it is for people I do not know. Also, there is the transportation factor, especially when I am not the one doing the transporting.
When I bake for those I am not familiar with, I like to eliminate all potential allergens as much as possible. I made the base cupcakes using a recipe that does not call for milk, eggs, or butter. I add about 1/2 cup of extra flour to this to make it a bit more sturdy since it will be a cupcake. I literally just dump everything into the bowl and mix.
2 C flour
2 C sugar
6 Tbsp cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C warm water
2/3 C oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla (or 1/2 tsp mint) extract
2 C sugar
6 Tbsp cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 C warm water
2/3 C oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla (or 1/2 tsp mint) extract
Put in cupcake liners and fill about 2/3 full. Bake at 350 F for about 10-15 minutes (toothpick will come back clean).
I made a batch of standard buttercream and decorated with royal icing to look like holly leaves and berries. I still had some cupcakes left over, so I decided to make peanut butter frosting (no recipe....just 1/2 cup butter, PB to taste, milk and powdered sugar). I dusted with sanding sugar to mimic the sugar on peanut butter blossom cookies and then topped with a Hershey kiss. I saved 1-2 for me and packed the rest separately from the holly decorated cupcakes.
I sent my son off with these cupcakes to school. When he got home that evening, I asked him how everyone like everything. He fell to his knees and did the "we're not worthy" thing from Wayne's World. I think it's fair to say everyone liked them! Mission accomplished!
