Dark Chocolate Cupcakes and Bars with Buttercream Frosting

This week, I blogged about the two things that I am dying to accomplish before the year ends. Since it’s mid-November already, there’s no time to slack off. The student permit part had been a blooper, but I am so proud to say that the cake from scratch rocked as hell! hahaha

Yesterday was spent shopping for baking supplies and ingredients. I went to several shops and compared their prices. I have to admit, baking is quite costly. I opted to invest on high-quality supplies because I don’t want my money to go to waste. I also chose the best ingredients I could find. In this case, a good dark cocoa powder for the cake and butter for the frosting are key.

It took me almost the entire day baking my dark chocolate cupcakes and bars with buttercream frosting. After a few funny mishaps (almost failing to preheat the oven, mixing up recipes, spilling, and dropping the equipment), the cake turned out to be very moist and chocolatey! I had been really anxious and I thought I was going to mess up. In baking, it does pay off to do your research and invest on superior tools and ingredients.

I only bought one muffin tray (fits 8 cupcakes) because I was already short on cash. Each batch takes about 20 minutes so I opted to bake the rest in an ordinary tray and slice them up. Ergo, I had a total of 8 cupcakes and 17 squares (2 didn't make it in the picture haha).

I know, they look a bit scrappy but they do taste great. The cake is not overly sweet, so the buttercream frosting compliments it well.

I am looking forward to my next baking project. Stay tuned.

Neekul has left the building.

Things to Accomplish Before the Year Ends

There are a couple of year-ender resolutions that I badly need/want to accomplish. What's the rush, you may ask? I have been obsessing about these things and now that I have talked about them online, the pressure is on. Come to think of it, nothing's written in stone. haha Kidding aside, I believe I work best under pressure. Failure is out of the question.

Number one on my list is to LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. Seriously. If my dad hears about this, I know he's going to freak out. He probably does not believe me anymore because I have mentioned this more than a thousand times. I am serious this time, and as a proof, I shall be getting a student's permit to drive this week. Yup. No more excuses. Promise.

It is embarrassing to admit that I am the only sibling who can't drive. When all of them were having their driving lessons that my dad gladly financed, I was busy with school work (internships, thesis and all). Father dear kept on reminding me about the importance of being able to drive, but I just shrugged it off. If only I listened to him before. Now I have to pay the price... literally and figuratively. Driving lessons and driving permit costs are such a pain in the ass. Adding holes to my pockets, assuming that I will be driving soon, is the rising price of petrol. Why am I realizing all these now? With all the evil robbers roaming around, plus the hassle of commuting, the expenses somewhat acceptable. Yes, this cheapskate would rather shed for these expenses than endure the long, stressful and unsafe daily commute during rush hours and rainy days.

I am nervous, but being able to decently make the car move forward and backward, turn right and left without running over someone or something would mean the world to me.

The second goal is to LEARN TO BAKE cakes (and other pastries) from scratch. My sister and I have baked cookies and cheesecakes from scratch numerous times and they tasted really great. However, what I want to achieve is the kind of cake you have on your birthday, complete with lovely icing/frosting and yummy filling. I am a bit hesitant as it will be such a waste of time, MONEY and effort if my attempts fail. Since I love desserts and cooking, I would like to take my chances. I know it can be a lot of fun and gratifying once I am able to create impressive (taste- and appearance-wise) cakes. It will be such a wonderful addition to my portfolio of skills. haha Wee! I'm excited.

I intend to bake a batch of chocolate cupcakes this or next weekend. I have been Googling for recipes and canvassing for supplies and ingredients already. If my first attempt sucks, I have prepared a delectable plan B. I hope I don't have take that more tedious direction.

Okay, you have to cheer for me because I might bump into (hopefully, not run over) you somewhere, and I may just give you a ride or a taste of my delectable baked goodies.

Stay tuned!

Neekul has left the building.