I've Been Dreaming of . . .

chocolate cupcakes. Yes, chocolate cupcakes. It started a few weeks ago. I woke up from a nap with a picture of the perfect chocolate cupcake in my head. I resisted the image for as long as I could, substituting raspberry sorbet or a piece of fruit, hoping the craving would go away. But it wouldn't. So last night I got out my mother's old cupcake tin and made my favorite chocolate cake recipe. Then I whipped up some chocolate buttercream (no crisco for this girl . . .) with really good Belgian chocolate. I poured a glass of icey cold milk and took a bite. . . I was transported back to childhood and went to bed with a smile on my face . . .



Here's the recipe, from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and lightly flour 2 8-inch round cake pans or one 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla, bewating until smooth. Spread in the pans and bake about 20-25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before turning out on rack.

My tips: Use really good cocoa and good vanilla. That imitation vanilla will ruin anything it touches.