Wandering down the path less taken...

Last May, I went to New Jersey to visit some of my favorite people, Chris and Tamara.  While I was there, Tamara (who I learned is also a cupcake junkie) insisted that during our trip into New York City, that we make a stop at Magnolia Bakery.   I had no idea what its signifigance was at the time.  When we got there, the line was out the door.  I thought to myself, these better be some damn good cupcakes.

It turns out that its a big deal sorta place, because Sarah Jessica Parker lives in the area, and made the place famous on Sex in the City.  I haven't seen a single second of that show (nor do I desire too).  But, I must thank SJP for introducing the world to Magnolia's. 

Magnolia's has published cookbooks, and I intend to purchase one.  I did however stuble upon a recipe online that was claiming to be the yummy, chocolate cupcake from the very famous bakery.  I made it for my office Diversity Fair on Wednesday, and topped them off with an Almond Hershey's Kiss.   They were a prize for the Calk Walk game, and apparently were one of the first prizes someone wanted.  I'm so pleased. I had several people tell me that I should sell my cupcakes.  I think that would take the fun out of it.  I like to experiment.

Check out the photos for a... photo.

Magnolia Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Buttercream Frosting

Makes 24 cupcakes

Cupcakes:

    * 2 cups all-purpose flour

    * 1 teaspoon baking soda

    * 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

    * 1 cup granulated sugar

    * 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

    * 4 large eggs, at room temperature

    * 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted

    * 1 cup buttermilk

    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

   1. To melt the chocolate, place in a double boiler over simmering water on low heat for 5-10 minutes (about; stir occasionally until completely smooth and no pieces remain; remove from heat and let cool 5-15 minutes or until lukewarm.

   2. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers; set aside.

   3. In a bowl, sift the flour and baking soda together; set aside.

   4. In a big mixing bowl, cream the butter, using an electric mixer on MEDIUM speed, until smooth.

   5.  Add the sugars and beat for about 3 minutes or until fluffy.

   6.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beat well after each addition.

   7.  Add the chocolate, mixing until well incorporated.

   8. Add the dry ingredients, in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk and vanilla.

   9. With each addition, beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overmix.

  10. Scrape down the batter from the sides of the bowl, using a rubber spatula, to make sure         the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

  11. Carefully spoon batter into cupcake liners; fill 3/4 full.

  12  Bake in a 350° oven for 20-25 minutes or until pick comes out clean.

  13. Cool in tins for 15 minutes.

  14. Remove from tins and cool completely on a wire rack.

  15. Ice when completely cool.

Icing: Chocolate Buttercream

Ingredients

    * 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

    * 2 tablespoons milk

    * 9 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled to lukewarm

    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    * 2 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 Note: to melt the chocolate, place in a double boiler over simmering water on low heat for 5-10 minutes; stir occasionally until the chocolate is completely smooth and no pieces remain; remove from heat and let cool 5-15 minutes or until lukewarm.

2 To make the buttercream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter using an electric mixer on MEDIUM speed for about 3 minutes or until creamy.

3 Add the milk carefully and beat until smooth.

 4 Add the melted chocolate and beat well for 2 minutes.

5 Add the vanilla and beat for 3 minutes.

6 Gradually add in the sugar and beat on LOW speed until creamy and of desired consistency.

7 For icing a 3-layer cake use the following measurements: 2 cups unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons milk, 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 cups sifted powdered sugar.

This past Wednesday I had my very first hooping performance with an real audience of about 40 people watching, not just passer-bys at the park.  I was really nervous, and I had been running around likea  crazy person doing other stuff for the fair right before I had to go on.  I was sweaty and flustered.  I was hooping in a space I had never hooped before (my fault... I should have tested it out) and people were not respecting my hoopy space.  I was so worried I was going to whirl around and nail someone in the face with my hoop.  Sigh.  Anyway, it went okay to me.  I know I could have done much better than I did, but I still managed to get some gasps and they applauded for me at the end, so I couldn't have been that bad. 

I had all sorts of questions asked, like, "Do you juggle too?"  or, "Will you be joining the circus?"  Or the two girls who saw me warming up earlier in the day, "What I want to know is what time she signed up for the hula hoop contest, because I'm gonna sign up for the other time slot.  The one she ain't in."  I reassured them I was not IN the contest. 

So... there are pictures in the photo area of my little bloggy.  And well... I should have more coming to me as soon as our photographer guy gets them to us.  I'm curious to see what sorta shots he grabbed.  Hopefully, there are several flattering ones.

I'm so looking forward to hooping at the Pride Parade in a few weekends.  Its sorta my first public apperance hooping, with the purpose of actually hoping people watch.  So far, my audience has been limited to fellow hoopers at the Hooper Stahs hoopjams, park passerbys, and the muscle men taking breaks by staring at Deniper and I pratice at the studio in the gym.

My family hasn't even seen my hooping yet.  The last time my Mom saw me trying to hoop was in November when I first bought my hoop, and well, I could do much with it then.  Just a few short 6 months later and I'm MUCH better.  Need to get to the gym today and hoop practice... I think I might want the camera to come along.

I'm begining to look at other forms of workout as supplements to hoop dance.  I look at my weight loss goals as goals toward being better at hooping... it all comes back to this new thing I've fallen so in love with doing.

I <3 hula hoops.

Life has been so very consuming... I forgot about this blog site I was so excited about.   I will return to working with it now.  I can focus, no really.  Just an update....

I've been working the day job, plotting my escape, hooping, and having so much fun with HG.  We're working on plans to become self-employed. I know we'll do it.

We've been hooping, and hooping, and we're getting pretty good at it.  In fact, practice should be again tonight.  Ok, short, sweet.. and simple.  Hey, I've got a blog site to finish.

Working on setting up my shiny new site here.  Please bear with me through my growing pains.  Hopefully, I'll be able to set up a great personal site, full of my projects, pictures, and some videos.  I'm sure you'll be overwhelmed by cute pictures of my little dog too. 

Peace and Love!