Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Cake - Its' all about celebrating Family and Friends

When my mom turned 80, we wanted to give her a party to celebrate.  She didn't want it to be all about her!  My brother and sister got her to agree when the idea of celebrating family milestones ending in the number zero was hatched.   We celebrated all family especially those who celebrated birthdays or Anniversaries ending in Zero.  Ten years later we celebrated again!  Our second Zero Party celebrating Mom turning 90, my husband Thom and cousin Bob Castellano turned 70, Annette Knight, Cindy Bardessono, and Stephen Bardessono turn 60, Max Reyes will be turning 20, Aidan Harnett, Emma Bardessono were born in 2019 (zero birthday).  We had quite a few anniversaries as well Dave & Martha 40 years, Cindy & Margis 30 years, Cristina and Neal as well as Chris and Amberley all celebrate 10 years of marriage.

We also celebrated 5 of my mother friends from High School who all turned or will turn 90 this year.  These wonderful women still go to lunch quite often and are the best of friend They are always there for one another in good and bad times.  Spending time with them and celebrating their friendship was amazing!

My assignment was to bring cupcakes.  I love to bake!  I remember as a little girl coming home from school and asking if I could make cookies.  If course I could, my mom and I share the same sweet tooth.  The only stipulation was that I had to clean up after I was done.

Here is the recipe for my Chocolate Cupcakes!

3 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups hot water or strong coffee
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coco powder
2 12 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 large eggs
3/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Finely chop chocolate in a bowl and combine with hot liquid.  Let stand and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted, and mixture is smooth.

Into a large bowl sift together dry ingredients. In another bowl beat eggs until thickened and slightly lemon colored.  Slowly add in other liquids, beating until combined.   Mix in dry ingredients.

To make a layer cake, divided batter between 2 greased 10" pans.  Bake in middle of oven 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

For cupcakes, fill paper cups 2/3 full.  Do not overfill the cake will overflow.  Bake 15-20 minutes depending on our oven.  The cupcakes are done when the center springs bake when pressed.

Cool completely and frost with your favorite frosting.


Note:  This is a great recipe to make a Hostess Cupcake.  In the center use a Marshmallow - or Seven Minute Frosting and frost with a ganache frosting.