Step Two

Came to believe that the power of chocolate could restore me to baking sanity.

As I said in my last post, I've been baking a lot lately. This is sort of a catch up post, because if you can't tell already, I'm kind of bad at consistently posting. Maybe one day I will write a post with only one recipe. I'm trying not to make expectations though, because those only lead to resentments. So this post is going to contain two different types of brownies and cupcakes! YAY!
So lets start with Brownie #1
ONE BOWL brownies

I got this recipe from www.allrecipes.com

What You'll Need:

• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

What You'll do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Microwave chocolate and butter or margarine in large bowl at HIGH for 2 minutes or until butter or margarine is melted.
3. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts.
4. Spread in greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for 35 minutes (do not overbake). 

Personally, I hate chopping up chocolate. WITH A PASSION. When I'm cooking with other people, I always delegate that task out. So since I was alone, I saw a tip on the recipe comments to use 12 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder and 3 tbsp vegetable oil. I just put these in the bowl with the butter and then put it in the microwave all together. These brownies came out really thick, chewy and fudgy. If you prefer cake like brownies, this is not the recipe for you!


Brownies #2: CARAMEL!


I cheated. I used a box recipe. However, I did splurge for the Ghiradelli Brownie mix. And they are good! I got this idea from www.recipegirl.com to put chocolate covered caramels in the brownie mix. Awesome idea. The chocolate covering melted into the brownie and the caramels became little pockets of joy. And, since it was a box mix, it was incredibly simple.

What you'll need:
1 box brownie mix of your choosing
Whatever the recipe for the brownie mix calls for
1 bag chocolate covered caramels (I used dove)


What You'll do:
Prepare Brownie mix as directed on box
Pour half of the batter into a prepared brownie pan
Place caramels on top of brownie mix
Pour other half of batter on top of caramels
Bake as directed on the brownie mix box


And Voilà! So easy and simple, and people are sure to think these are homemade.


And finally.... The Cookies n Creme Cupcake


OMG. Not enough can be said about this cupcake. Favorite thing I have made yet. And I encourage you to make the icing yourself, it is sooooo worth it!

So here's a picture of the cupcakes BEFORE icing.

Yes, believe your eyes. There are chunks of Oreo cookies inside the cupcake. I cannot describe with words how awesome this made the cupcake, you just have to try it for your self. This recipe is from www.bakerella.com


What you'll need:


Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup natural unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup hot water
24 Oreos, plus more for crumbs
Frosting:
1 cup shortening
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-6 Tablespoons milk
2 or more teaspoons Oreo cookie crumbs

What You'll do:

For the cupcakes:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line tray with 12 baking cups.
• Place one whole cookie in each cup or break apart at least 12 cookies and place the broken pieces into each cup.
• Mix the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl using a wire whisk.
• Add the eggs, oil, vanilla and milk and mix well until thoroughly combined. Add the hot water and mix until combined.
• Transfer the batter (it will be very liquid) to a large measuring cup and then pour batter into each baking cup so it’s about three quarters full. You should have a little left over.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes.

Makes at least 12 cupcakes
For the frosting:

• Beat the shortening in a mixer until smooth.
• Add vanilla and mix until combined.
• Add the powdered sugar in three additions, scraping down the sides after each addition.
• Add a Tablespoon of milk at a time and mix together until you achieve the consistency you like.
• Add the cookie crumbs and mix until completely combined. You can add more if you like, but I just wanted a light speckling to show off the white frosting.
• Place frosting in a decorator bag with a 1M tip and swirl on top of each cupcake.
• Insert a cookie on top of each cupcake.
• You can also apply frosting on each cupcake in a mounded shape. Turn upside down and roll the top around in a small bowl of cookie crumbs to coat.

Have fun with these. They turn out beautiful!

Happy Baking!