Of Gypsies and Cowboys

EDIT:
The cupcakes turned out GREAT! Want the recipe? It's modified, of course ;) But yummers! We're taking them out for a picnic tonight. The mini ones are especially nice; just as much frosting as cake! ;)

Chocolate Cupcakes:
1/2 cup (50 grams) organic cocoa powder
1 cup (240 ml) boiling hot water
1 1/3 cups (175 grams) organic all purpose flour (I think spelt would work well here too!)
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
¼ cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup organic granulated white sugar
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 drops liquid stevia
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:
½ cup chocolate, coarsely chopped (bakers, melting, whatever. Or cocoa?)
1/3 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or kahlua or rum or maple or…hmmm!)


Preheat to 375 degrees F
Prep muffin tins (I made 12 regular ones and 12 teeny tiny ones).
- In a small bowl stir until smooth the boiling hot water, cocoa powder, and coffee. Let cool to room temperature.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream the butter, applesauce, yogurt, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add stevia
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour mixture, followed by the cooled cocoa mixture and mix until smooth.

Fill each muffin cup two-thirds full with batter and bake for about 16-20 minutes or until risen, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate Frosting:
Melt the chocolate. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and mix it all up till smooth and irresistible.

(These would also be yummy filled with vanilla cream! )

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Recipe modified from original at:
Bell, Annie. 'Gorgeous Cakes'. Kyle Books. Distributed by National Book Network. Lanham, MD: 2005.
Lewis, Matt & Nelson, Alison. 'Chocolate Bar'. Stonesong Press. New York: 2004.

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It's been a gorgeous week out here in our lives and land. Beginning with chilly rain and sprinking into blue skies and sunshine, the past five days have been filled with hikes, picnics, art, and naps. Not the typical week hey? Almost holiday'ish! It's been good for us. We're regaining that lost and simple exercise of breathing, pausing, and listening. We're tasting and feeling again. We're finding unforced smiles on our faces; those funny little expressions that can so easily become a memory and a publicly enforced obligation.

Today I am going to make cupcakes. I'll call them 'Fresh Friday Cupcakes' :) I think they'll be chocolatey and perhaps even slathered in buttercream icing. I can't remember the last time I made cupcakes! Muffins yes, (flax and bran and...) but cupcakes? Hm, but I already know I'll be subbing in applesauce for the butter and a wee bit of stevia to cut back on the sugar and.... Maybe they'll be 'Flat Flax Cupcakes' instead ;)

My baby boy was up too early and is already cuddling in for a nap. His birthday is drawing near, as is his ability to run around on his own. His hair is shaggy and his steps more confident by the day. His legs are stretching out and his increased mobility is working away at the chubby rolls I love. He lays in bed at night singing songs and signing "Dad!" and playing with his lamby. He dances to any and every rhythm, has a taste for curried (anything!), and laughs hysterically at burps and sneezes. He's stubborn and independent and inquisitive. He's the most beautiful thing I know.

Anyways. Off to bake while the baby sleeps.