Mateo's First Baking; Dulce & Ganache Chocolate Cupcakes

It was Meathop's 2nd birth day last July 4th. His birth day lunch however was held yesterday, July 5th and  graced by family and close friends. I am very pleased to show you that our charming little boy has early sightings of interest in baking. I decided to run a batch of my R&D's at home that morning when I found my cookie cutters and toque in his toy bin, it made me think...should he start training? Some parents train their kids early on sports, music or academics, however, in our family we are let alone to choose what we wanted to become. I know one day my nephew will grow up and decide what he aspire to become, for now however, he is my little apprentice.

I have no idea how this happened

It's been a while since I baked at home, most of my entries are made while I'm working

My home baking friends, this is such a therapy to me!

Like my other featured recipes, I made this cupcake recipe simple and easy to replicate at the comfort of your own home. I am an advocate of home baking, I once started as a 9 year old who has this deep curiosity about food, especially baking. At 9, I started experimenting whatever pantry staples I can find at home, most of them of course are attempt to create desserts and failed. It makes me smile whenever I remember how messy It was all the time, how much time it took me to try and fail. Inevitably, curiosity is the key to creating and fuel to keep passion going.

In a bowl,sift all the dry ingredients together

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

 1 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour

3/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1/2 cup Sugar

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1 1/2 tsp Salt

2 pieces Eggs

1 cup Fresh Milk

3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 cup Warm Water

This recipe yields about 15 pieces cupcakes

By the way, that stainless bowl is my mom's and has been my best friend ever since I started to bake. I hope to pass this on to my kids and grand kids in the future as a family heirloom. It reminds me how my mom supported my early interest in baking and food. Wonderful to feel her presence whenever I bake.

Combine together oil, fresh milk and warm water

 WARNING: The next photos are excessively cute and adorable!

Mix together dry and liquid ingredients in one bowl, yes you may do this just by hand with a rubber spatula. Look at him!

He won't let me touch it...

Baby Chef, yes he has his own chef's whites!

Add eggs one at a time

Make sure no egg shells in the batter

Uhhh?

A very attentive student

"Tapon" yeah, he spilled some and said "Tapon" :))

Did I say no egg shells in the batter?

Okay, okay, too much cuteness

This was when he poured the batter into the muffin pan. nyahaha

Ugly one!

Egg Tart, eh?

Mix the batter until uniformly combined and pour into 3/4 oz muffin cups or cupcake liner on muffin pan, filling each cavity up to 3/4's full. I accidentally deleted the photos where the batter was portioned to muffin cups and how messy the ugly one was when he did it.My baaad! Bake at 350 F for 20 mins or until done. Whilst baking the cupcakes, proceed to making the frosting to allow it sit in the chiller and cool down.

 Thick Ganache Frosting

125g Heavy Cream

375g Dark Chocolate

Warm heavy cream over bain marie

Remember to cut the chocolates into small cubes for easier melting

Once the heavy cream is warm, add in the chocolates and let it sit on bain marie until completely melted

Chill and stir occasionally, the consistency will thicken as it cool down and must also be smooth, shiny and pipe-able

Dulce; you can make your own Dulce at home by boiling unopened condensed milk in water for 4 to 6 hours, it depends on the brand of condense milk. Alaska is about 4 hours while Carnation is 6 hours. Remember to tear the label and to boil the cans on hot start, not on cold start then start timing the boil.

Once the cupcakes are baked, transfer them to cooling racks and stuff with Dulce. then stuff with Ganache. Yes, it has two stuffings! nyam nyam!

Frost each cupcakes with Thick Ganache swirls

Using a star tip, fill the piping bag with more Dulce to finish the cupcakes

I know you want more Dulce than that, It's worth it. Baby it is worth it! Go!

Okay, I stopped negotiating with myself and piped more Dulce for Dulce is worth finger licking, smacking and more giving in

Dulce & Ganache Chocolate Cupcakes

Dulce & Ganache Chocolate Cupcakes

Love someone who stares at you like you are a Chocolate Cake. Baby, you are worth it. The Dulce is worth the wait. Love is worth the wait. Whaaaat? Anyways!

Love always,