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Ebony and Ivory v.2

Ebony and Ivory Cupcakes v.2 – two-toned cupcakes, vanilla and chocolate, frosted with a swirl of slightly sweetened whipped cream and decorated with a two-toned chocolate button. Price available upon request.

new and improved

Some of those who inquire about my cupcakes ask about swirled fluffy toppings with sprinkles on top. There is indeed something seductive about a swirl of frosting. And ain’t it sweet when someone bites into an iced cupcake and reveals a frosting mustache after?

This cupcake is a rework of my Ebony and Ivory cupcake. To improve the vanilla flavor, I used my homemade vanilla sugar and pure Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract by Lorann Gourmet. I also used low-fat milk that has a very vanilla flavor. I accidentally added a bit more milk but fortunately the cupcake turned out fluffier. Since I cannot find my favorite chocolate bar (Frey) that has 72% cocoa solids, I used the one with 55% and it worked better for this cupcake.

I must say that this version of the cupcake really has an improved flavor and texture. There is a nice balance of flavors and you can taste both the very vanilla and dark chocolate notes each without overpowering the other. Using real Madagascar vanilla extract and vanilla sugar really makes a difference—see the nice specks of the vanilla bean seeds throughout the cupcake!

I frosted each cupcake with a rosette of slightly sweetened whipped cream to appease those who love fluffy swirled frostings. My other version of this cupcake has a ganache frosting. Although I am partial to ganache, the whipped cream topping is also great and lets the two cupcake flavors be the stars.

The two-toned chocolate button atop the frosting is actually just a white chocolate disc. I dipped half of it on melted dark chocolate to complete the two-toned theme of the cupcakes. Looks like the black and white cookies New York is famous for, right?

These are among my favorite cupcakes. Although making them are still fiddly (no overlapping of different batters, please!), the taste and look are worth the effort. Yum!

3 comments July 20th, 2010

Good Golly Miss Holly

Good Golly Miss Holly Cupcake – fudgy brownie cupcake frosted with shiny chocolate glaze and decorated with chocolate candy gift box and silver and gold dragees. Price available upon request.

inspired by Tiffany; necklace not included!

I was making some chocolate truffle gift box candies when I noticed the similarity of the candy box to the famed Tiffany jewelry box. I thought it would make a great cupcake topper. I call this cupcake “Good Golly Miss Holly” after the character Holly Golightly from the book and film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. I haven’t read the book nor seen the movie but I know that the opening scene of the film shows Holly (as played by Audrey Hepburn) alighting from a cab in front of Tiffany and Co. jewelry store in Manhattan’s 5th Ave. Holly eats a pastry and drinks coffee while looking through the window display. Is this the title’s explanation?

My cake base is actually a brownie in cupcake form, crusty on the sides and soft and very fudgy in the middle. More chocolate, less flour. I am very partial to ganache and chocolate on chocolate is always a winning combination so I frosted the cupcake with ganache. I also sprinkled some silver and gold dragees to represent the “jewels.”

This cupcake is perfect for bridal showers, debuts, or for girls who adore jewelry. For men out there who want to impress, a box of these cupcakes and a box of Tiffany jewelry will surely endear you to your lady love.

As for the Loving Heart Tiffany necklace in the above photo, it is one of my cherished possessions and therefore does not come with the cupcake!

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bring on the (cupcake) war!

Who knew that the term “cupcake wars” will be taken so seriously by two Utah cupcakeries? The cupcake in dispute is a Breakfast at Tiffany’s-inspired cupcake. One baker accused another of trade dress infringement (translation: copycatting). You can read the details here. Reminds me of the lawsuit filed years ago by San Miguel Corp. against Asia Brewery regarding the “suspicious” similarities between one established beer and a market newcomer.

So much for the idea that cupcakes bring happiness!

Add comment July 5th, 2010