Martha Stewart's Jam Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

I just sit around and look at pictures of cupcakes all day. This might be next on my agenda.

Ingredients

Makes 12

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
* 1 cup confectioners' sugar
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
* 12 raspberries, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12-cup muffin pan, or use liners. Combine flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture in two parts, alternating with 1/2 cup milk.
2. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, gradually add cocoa mixture, scraping down side of bowl as necessary. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat frosting until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.
4. Using a paring knife, cut a 1-inch-deep piece from the top of each cupcake (do not discard). Fill each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and replace cutout pieces. Frost cupcakes and top with raspberries.

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

For my co-worker Christy's birthday, I wanted to make a special dessert. Hongkies are inclined to buy a cake from somewhere... nobody cooks. Kitchens are too small. In general people don't have ovens. And if someone does cook, it's your mama cause you live at home.

I think the desserts here (the Chinese take on Western desserts) is gross. They should stick to what they know. I have come across decent desserts from "western" restaurants, but I thought a home made goody would be a special treat for all of us in the office. Everyone was shocked by my abilities.

Sorry I don't have a recipe for this. I'm not one to read instructions, nor am I one to follow a recipe. I like to look for inspiration and then take my own twist on things.

Basically, take any cheesecake recipe. Instead of making a cake, put it in to muffin tins or wrappers. I threw some fresh CALIFORNIA strawberries on there cause Christy loves strawberries.

Yum!

Jam Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

I haven't made a post in nearly a year! That means my oven is nearly a year old and I should take more advantage of it. Right now I'm obsessed with cupcakes and maybe tonight I'll make these.

Jam Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Makes 12

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
* 1 cup confectioners' sugar
* 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
* 12 raspberries, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 12-cup muffin pan, or use liners. Combine flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture in two parts, alternating with 1/2 cup milk.
2. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. With mixer on low, gradually add cocoa mixture, scraping down side of bowl as necessary. Gradually beat in 2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat frosting until light and fluffy, about 30 seconds.
4. Using a paring knife, cut a 1-inch-deep piece from the top of each cupcake (do not discard). Fill each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and replace cutout pieces. Frost cupcakes and top with raspberries.