Tuesday, January 17, 2017

My Favorite Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

November is pumpkin month, December is cookies and candies, so that can only mean one thing--
January is cupcake month!

Okay, show of hands.
How many of you are scratching your heads at that comment?

Here at the Obi house, we're barely into the new year when the birthdays start hitting. First it was my son-in-law, Dayton's, birthday, then it was our baby's birthday.
Sniff, sniff.
The little stinker actually had the nerve to turn 18.
You know what that means, right? All of my children are now officially adults.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to act like it.
Yeah, why spread the candles out among all of the cupcakes when you can put them all in one and make a bonfire?

(Mom shaking head)

So let's talk about those cupcakes.
These chocolate cupcakes are my absolute favorite. They are made from scratch, so you know they must be healthy, they're easy to make, they're uber moist AND oh, so delicious.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Take the word of the birthday boy who, when asked what kind of cake said he wanted "those chocolate cupcakes that don't need frosting."
That's right. These cupcakes are so moist that frosting is optional. Even for a teenager.

Here's what you'll need:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil (this is what I used, but you can also use vegetable or canola oil)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup BOILING water
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Start by mixing your dry ingredients together.
I simply put them all into the mixing bowl, then blend them with a wire whisk or the mixer set on low speed.
Now add the eggs, half-and-half, oil and vanilla.
Using an electric mix, blend until combined, then turn mixer to medium and beat for 2 minutes.
Your mixture will be thick like this.
Then, with your mixer running on low speed, add the boiling water in a nice steady stream.
Mix slowly until fully combined. Yes, it will be thin.
Fill cupcake liners approximately 3/4 of the way.
I use my large cookie scoop so they're all even.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, but start checking them at 12 just to be sure they don't overcook.
Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
Which I did right after I took the above picture.

Tah-dah!
So let's suppose you didn't want unfrosted cupcakes, but you didn't want a heavy layer of frosting either. You could dip the tops in a little chocolate ganache, let it set and you're good to go. If I were doing that, I would have added a tad more batter to each of the cupcake liners. The way I did it, I ended up with 30 cupcakes instead of 24, but that way would be great for a regular frosting, too.

And now we're back to this. But he's so stinkin' cute, I just couldn't resist.

Now it's your turn.
Anybody still got their Christmas decorations up? Or at least some of them?
This is me raising my hand. but between deadlines and birthdays, who has time. The good news is that the world has not ended because some of my decorations are still up.
So life really does go on.




Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.

10 comments:

  1. LOL -- my daughter would run screaming from the room if she caught a glimpse of that bonfire cupcake. You must have nerves of steel to have gotten those boys to adulthood. I still shudder over the snakes. Ugh.

    Love chocolate and love cupcakes and I'm totally on board with January being cupcake month! That means we can eat one every day and not gain weight, right?

    I don't have any Christmas decorations up at all...but that's because I didn't put anything up this year. Just my nativity. Made for an easy clean up. :-)

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    1. Kav, boys are definitely different creatures than girls. Though at least #2 son prefers to see snakes dead.

      And no, there is no weight gain when you eat cupcakes during cupcake month. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

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  2. Mindy, these have that dark chocolate look that I Love, Love, Love..... I must try them! I am stocked up on cupcake wrappers for next Christmas, but there are NONE in my cupboard... Must remedy that!

    He's 18....

    Oh my word, what a wonderful thing, and he's just so stinkin' cute.

    Happy birthday, darling son!!!

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    1. Ruthy, there's nothing that says you can't tap into next year's cupcake wrappers. You must do what I do and buy them on clearance. Always a score.

      He is cute, isn't he? Don't tell him, though. It'll just go to his head and he'll think he can get away with anything. :P

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  3. These look so chocolaty and rich! I'll have to try this recipe!

    We love cupcakes around here, too. But January is a no-birthday month, so far. But who cares? :)

    Happy birthday to your baby!

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    1. Well, since you have no January birthdays, Jan, it's a good thing we've deemed January cupcake month. Now you have a reason to make cupcakes! And since you have this new recipe to try out, well, I'm sure your family would be willing to take one for the team. :)

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  4. I seriously love that cupcake bonfire! That belongs in a book. Clever kid.

    I saw the pictures you posted on his birthday, and then this one, and I keep thinking how much he looks like your husband!

    Apparently January is also National Bath Safety Month. Um, wouldn't that be every month?

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    1. Clever kid or pyro? That could go either way, Mary Cate.

      He definitely favors my husband's side of the family, the red hair coming from my MIL.

      And I would have to agree with you on bath safety. Why do we need to limit that to only one month out of the year?

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  5. This sounds like my kind of recipe! I'm never very crazy about icing. I'd rather just have moist cake, so I love this!

    Happy birthday to your baby!! My baby turned 20 in September. Hard to believe.

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    1. Missy, how can it be that our babies keep getting older when we don't age at all?

      Yes, you will definitely LOVE this recipe.

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