Serious Blogging or Chocolate?!

Much of the time, I feel like such a fraudulent lightweight, compared to so many of my colleagues here at b5.media. I mean look at the important work, for example, that Noel is doing over at Unplugged Living, Shai over at Self Help Diva, Elizabeth at GenBetween — and of course, the prolific Ingrid who is everywhere.

Yes, it’s true, we’ve covered meaty topics such as employee/employer relationships, adversity during a presentation, the benefits and drawbacks of owning a small business — but most of the time, I wish I were on a perpetual coffee break.

Today is one of those days…join me for a little break?

Looking for THE perfect chocolate cupcake? Once again, Ina Garten to the rescue.

Even the name of it is perfect: Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes. How sexy is that?!

• 1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
  1 cup sugar
  4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup (recommended: Hershey’s)
  1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  1 cup all-purpose flourFor the ganache:
  1/2 cup heavy cream
  8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
  1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
  Candied violets, for decoration, optional
• Line muffin pans with 12 paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don’t overbeat, or the cupcakes will be tough.
• Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don’t overbake! Let the cupcakes cool thoroughly in the pan.
• For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
• Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache. Decorate with candied violets, if desired. Do not refrigerate.

Go. Bake. Bring to the office and be loved. And if you find the freaking candied violets, you are not allowed back here…(I jest.) (No, I don’t.)

Image: flickr.com