So, we all know I’ve done a bit of whining about how I don’t like cupcakes. I’m not keen on frosting, or overly sugary things, blah blah blah. Well, I recently learned something important (and also rather obvious): lots of other people do like cupcakes, so maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut, eh? The month of March was outrageously busy for many reasons, one of which was my starting a new job. My charming co-workers found out about the blog and had kindly been asking me several times a day when I would bring in baked goods for them. After enquiring about what kind of goods they like, it was revealed that cupcakes are universally adored in this place, so it was only in a very small voice that I muttered something about not really liking the dang things.
Still, since I’m very lucky to have such totally awesome coworkers that are all extremely interesting and fun and the best people to work with ever (hi guys!), and as one of them also had a birthday last week, I swallowed my pride and made a batch.
Although the cupcakes look hale and happy in the picture, they almost didn’t happen - on the night I’d planned to bake them, my oven stopped working (and it still hasn’t been fixed, grumble). Not to be daunted, I found a small thermometer and stuck it in my old and slightly rusted toaster oven and hoped for the best, baking 6 at a time and checking anxiously for fear of over- or under-cooking them. To my great relief, it worked: the cupcakes turned out moist and just right. I’m glad I used a particular batter recipe that’s just the sort of foolproof kind that won’t succumb to unexpected events like broken ovens and fluctuating toaster oven temperatures. It’s a plain chocolate with some mini chips tossed in for extra chocolate flavor, and the strawberry frosting is a very quick old-fashioned style, based on the kind used at Magnolia Bakery. The poor birthday girl at work had spent part of the week at home tending to her sick son, then catching the flu herself, and on top of that also getting conjunctivitis, so I couldn’t help but try cheering her up with an artistic representation of pinkeye, thanks to strawberry season and some extra chocolate chips. :)
I will probably only use these recipes again when resources are scarce, but they’re very good for last-minute cupcake needs or for making with young children who want to help measure and mix. Most importantly, the cupcakes were enjoyed by all - yes, even me!
