Perfect Party Cupcakes

*Two years back, we moved into the home we're living in now.Our old home was a teensy tri-level on a road lined with leafy trees.They simultaneously turned yellow in the autumntime,a rank of golden guards welcoming you home from an afternoon of errand running.*I loved that home. It was warm and inviting.But, it was teensy.And we had a pack of growing children who desperatley needed room to run.And friends up the street.And more space from which they could not.clean.up.their.messes.*But, I digress.This isn't about the old house.This is about the new one.The home that we have now.*When I first walked into it, I admired the roomy living room, and the fingerprint-free walls.Hubby and I imagined with excitement a clean wooden floor stretched beneath our feet and a piano tucked in the corner of the dining room, waiting to entertain dinner guests and such.It was exciting, the idea of living in a place twice the size as our old bungalow.We were thrilled and awed and inspired.But, it was the kitchen that sealed the deal.It was when I walked into the kitchen and cried that my husband said, "Let's buy it."*The ceilings were tall, the floor space ample, there was a glass door that opened to a welcoming deck.It was big enough to host a party. A big party. LOTS of big parties.I sort of live for parties.Warm bodies standing at your side as final touches are put on special treats;the lyrical music of beloved voices spinning stories of their daily happenings,clock moving itself minute-by-minute around your lives,weaving them into memories with food and laughter and friendship.*I sort of live for parties.{Don't You?!}
What a pleasure then, to virtually reunite with two old friends from high school.(Don't you just LOVE reuniting with friends from high school as much as you love parties?!)When I learned that fellow twin classmates, Coley & Crista, aka The Twin Stitcherswere oozing talent from their very pores, creating adorable patterns that amaze & delight,I begged them to create one for my CwaC readers, and promised them we'd make a party out of it.They agreed and got right to work. Sketching, illustrating, sewing, framing.*And now, the unveiling ofThe Twin Stitchers Cupcake Pattern*Aren't they lovelycute?! And, so easy too.As in, simple. As in, I might actually be able to pull them off.Well, hold onto your muffins, because you ain't seen nothing yet. Look at what you can do with their patterns...

Even better yet, you could make this...

(then send it along to me. Teehee.)

To purchase the TwinStitchers Cupcake Pattern, GO HERE.But wait! That's not all!The TwinStitchers want to giveaway one of their patterns for FREE.Just think of all the Christmas possibilities.*To win, simply visit the TwinStitchers website by clicking HERE.Peruse their plethora of patterns and pick your favorite one.(and there are a LOT of to-die-for patterns. Did you SEE the Family Tree?!) Then come on back here and leave a comment, mentioning your favorite TwinStitchers product.On Monday, the winner will be announced.
Perfect Party CupcakesCreated for my favorite new neighbor, Suzie, these cupcakes took a boatload of batch attempts before getting them just.right. Anticipating her daughters upcoming birthday, Suzie (a self-declared 'cake snob') asked if I could come up with chocolate cupcakes that were moist, soft, and wildly delicious. You'd think that would be an easy task, but chocolate cupcakes are just an egg and a splash of milk away from a cupful of brownies and too many attempts tasted too much like brownie and not enough like cake. Until this attempt. The batter is held together with ample amounts of butter and just enough flour to make the finished cake gloriously moist, yet fluffy. Because of it's carefully crafted ratio of prescision measurments, be sure to follow this recipe to a T. Low altitude bakers, don't forget to add 1/4 c. of flour and 1/4 tsp. more baking powder.*
2 sticks butter
1 ½ c. brown sugar
3 eggs
2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. milk
½ tsp. baking powder
½ c. cocoa powder
1 c. flour
1 tsp. pure vanilla
In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and eggs until extremely fluffy (this step is CRUCIAL. Don’t skip it!). In a small bowl, microwave baking chocolate and olive oil just until melted (about 1 minute), stir, add to batter. Add remaining ingredients and whip until evenly incorporated but DO NOT MIX. Fill cupcake wrappers 2/3 full with batter, then bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Light Chocolate Buttercream
2 sticks butter
1 pounds powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2-4 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla
Beat all ingredients together until light and fluffy. Add an additional 1-2 cups of powdered sugar, if desired.