Saturday, October 3, 2009

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE AND MARASCHINO CHERRY FILLING

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups flour,
  • 1 cup Hershey’s dark cocoa,
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda,
  • 1/2 tsp salt,
  • 1 1/4 cup buttermilk,
  • 1/4 c strong, cold coffee,
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract,
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened,
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar,
  • 3 large eggs;

  • FILLING:
  • 1 pk. cream cheese,softened,
  • 1 1/2 cups powder sugar,
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract;
  • maraschino cherries;
  • (whipped cream and strawberries - optional)


  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Lightly spray the muffin pan (18 approx.)
  • Combine the dry ingredients, and set aside.
  • Combine the buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla and set aside.
  • Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and creamed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
  • Add the flour and milk mixtures in alternating batches, beginning and ending with the flour. Combine cream cheese, powder sugar and vanilla extract; mix until smooth and set aside.
  • Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan 1/2 way; top with 1 tsp. cream cheese mixture; add 1 maraschino cherry and press gently. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • Dust with powder sugar or top with whipped cream and seasonal fresh fruit(optional)

SLOW COOKED PORK, MASHED POTATO WITH LIGHT GRAVY AND CAESAR SALAD