Pschyedelic Witch Embedded in Asphalt Cupcakes

A few years ago, I did a recipe, based on a "thumbprint cookie" with the same idea of an orange witch hat embedded in asphalt.  Well, I'm at it again.  I could blame it on all the contruction cones I've come across lately, but admittingly, it's missing laughing with Kelly over this ridiculous comparison we heard one evening while watching a comedienne do her skit.  We both cracked up and to this day, it's one of my favorite phrases when I pass a construction cone to comment on.

photo courtesy of the internet

To make the cones or witch hats, I used Bugles--remember those corn snacks from the 60's?  They were the brainchild of a food engineer named Joe Applebaum, who worked for General Mills. They are fried in coconut oil, unlike most snacks which used Soybean oil, and they come in a number of flavors.  They're pretty addictive and it was adventure to find a store that still sold them.

Over a double boiler, melt orange wafers.  Scoop out almost half of the melted wafers onto parchment paper and spread to about 1/8".  Dip the Bugles into the mixture and set on top of the rectangle.  Allow to dry completely.
 
Black Velvet Cupcakes
6T (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 T shortening
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2T Dutch-processed cocoa
2T Specialty Dark cocoa by Hershey's
1 T black food coloring gel
1/4 cup boiling water

1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1T apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line muffin pans with paper liners.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and shortening together.  Slowing add the sugar while the mixer is running and beat together for 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating them into the batter thoroughly.  Again, scrape the sides.

In a small bowl, mix the cocoa's with the food coloring, then, add the boiling water and stir to combine.

Sift the flour and salt together.  Add the buttermilk and vanilla to the cocoa mixture.  Add the dry ingredients alternatively with the cocoa/buttermilk mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
In a small bowl, add the vinegar to the baking soda.  After it finishes "fizzing," add it to the batter and beat on low just until combined.

Use a #20 scoop to fill the cupcake liners (almost 3/4 full).  Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes (don't over bake or the cupcakes will be dry).

While the cupcakes are baking, make Chocolate Butter cream. I used an apple corer to remove a "plug" from the cupcake so I could pipe some of the butter cream into the center.

Now, it's just a matter of piping the butter cream, adding some Cocoa Krispies around the sides (I thought that gave it a nice touch to resemble gravel in the asphalt.)

 Finally, I used a paring knife to cut a square around the cone and placed it on top of the cupcake.

I definitely have a big smile while I construct these cupcakes and think Kelly would be laughing too. Enjoy!

A dear friend sent me this today and I want to share it:

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will

always travel on our side.  However, at some station our parents

will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.  As time

goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant

(i.e., our siblings, friends, children and even the love of your life.)

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.  Others will go so

unnoticed that we don't realize they vacated their seats.  This train ride

will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hello's, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers

requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We don't know at which station we ourselves will

step down.  So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive and offer

the best of who we are.

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down

and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories

for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.  Reap success and give lots of love.  

More importantly, thank God for the journey.

Last, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train.