Test Kitchen: Chocolate-Based Cupcakes
Today was another testing day! I wanted to work with my chocolate cake recipe, and I knew I’d have a captive audience at my book club, so I did five flavors. I also tried out some new baking cups, which I haven’t made any decisions about just yet. They look super cute and make for a great presentation, but you have to be a little more patient to get the cupcake out of the wrapper. Anyone have any thoughts about the baking cups?
(Chocolate cake. Marshmallow frosting. Hot chocolate topping.)
The Good: Cute concept, nice look with the topping.The Bad: One of the chocoholics in the group noted that it wasn’t chocolatey enough- agreed!
The Verdict: Add some more chocolate to the cake, perhaps dark chocolate chips.
The Campfire Smore
(Chocolate cake. Marshmallow frosting. Teddy grahams. Hershey Bar.)
The Good: Great concept, nice presentation.The Bad: Not enough graham taste.
The Verdict: Try a graham cupcake with chocolate filling, or crushed graham on top.
The Grasshopper
(Chocolate cake. Mint buttercream frosting. Junior Mint.)
The Good: Classic flavors, just enough mint in the icing.The Bad: I didn’t hear any bad feedback about this one.
The Verdict: A keeper. Sticking with it.
The Oreo
(Chocolate cake. Oreo buttercream frosting. Mini Oreo.)
The Good: Everyone loves oreos. The Bad: Need to crush the oreos a little more before icing. The big chunks make it look sloppy.
The Verdict: Crush the oreos in a food processor.
The Aztec
(Mexican chocolate cake with cinnamon and chile powder. Cinnamon buttercream frosting.)
The Good: Something new. You can taste the spices, but it’s not overwhelming.The Bad: Didn’t get to try this in the other baking cups. Maybe needs a topper.
The Verdict: Maybe up the spices a little, maybe add a cinnamon stick.
I love the way the baking cups work, but it does seem like it would be hard to eat them. Could you serve your cupcakes with some sort of spoon? Or figure out some way to make the baking cups easier to peel down?
It’s so fun to “go” on this journey with you, thanks for sharing with all of us!
I like the idea of adding a cinnamon stick to the Aztec as a garnish. It’d add to the overall look.
…I wish I could help taste test!
natalie! as i was stalking on facebook i came across your post about cupcakes, and looking to waste another half hour i came here, and i gotta say i am in love with your cupcakes!!! i think the hot chocolate gets me!!! i cant wait till they sweep the country!!! i’ve used those baking cups before and they did make a mess, but they look so pretty!!! i just wanted to say i am so excited for you!!!
Wow, how do I join your book club? They all look delish! My first impulse favorite was the grasshopper… love the minty green icing.