Happy New Year to you! Good-bye 2021. Hello 2022.
Friends, we are really at the close of 2021. Tomorrow is a new year! Can you believe it? Is it just me or does time appear to fly by? It seems that it was just Summer, and I was being whiny about the heat. We will tackle my heat aversion in another post but promise me that when I share the details, you will not laugh at me. Pinky promise? Okay, thank you kindly.
2021 brought about a substantial number of changes and innovative ideas for me. One major change is that I started this blog. I have always enjoyed writing, but never did I think that my fondness for writing would be on a platform such as this. To be blunt, I initially thought that there were already a thousand impressive food blogs online so why would anyone want to read what I have to say? I am also quite the introvert. Most people are surprised when I share that. It took considerable courage for me to share my thoughts and experiences in such a public way. I am an extremely private person and a bit quirky at times if I am being 100% candid. I am glad to say that I embrace it all. I am delighted that I decided to take this journey and that you are right along with me for the ride. Guess what? You are stuck with me now. “Me and you us never part” (this is a Color Purple movie reference 😊).
It is my earnest hope that when you read my content you feel as if you are reading words from a friend. I am looking forward to creating intriguing new content in 2022. I am so excited!
I love how so many of my family and friends have special traditions on NYE. Their traditions range from going to church, getting dressed up to go a party, staying at home to have a party, and then just staying at home for a chill low-key night in. What are some of your favorite NYE traditions? Let me know in the comments. I typically do not hit the party scene for NYE, but I can be found at church or at home watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. It is the 50th anniversary of the show this year so I am sure it will be extra entertaining. My favorite part is the ball drop. That never gets old. One day, I will be there in person.
In honor of the end of 2021 and my last post of the year, I decided to get fancy for you all and make some extravagant NYE Resolution Boozy Cupcakes. What we are resolving is to continue to embrace our gift of life and live it to the fullest leaving no crumbs behind. Now, back to the star of this blog, the cupcakes.
These are not your every day run of the mill basic level cupcakes. These cupcakes are extra (like me, lol) and special for NYE. How so, you ask? This is a deep dark chocolate cupcake with a brown sugar frosting that has been taken to the next level with Baileys™ Scrumptious Salted Caramel Irish Cream. But wait. There is more. The cupcake is topped with a pipette filled with more Baileys™ and sprinkled with chocolate Jimmies. You are talking about one decadently moist, rich, and flavorful taste of bliss in your mouth. I have never been a selfish person, so you know I must share the recipe with you. These cupcakes are still delicious without the booze. Feel free to leave it out.
A new year always feels like a fresh start with new opportunities and possibilities ahead. Let us take our wins and losses from 2021 and use it to propel us into new and exciting territories. I am incredibly thankful to be seeing a new year. I am here, you are here, and we can do great things, okay? Oh, before I leave, I want to gift one of my special friends a box of cookies (it will be Baker’s Choice, but trust me, it will be good). See below for giveaway rules.
Chocolate Spoon Bake Shoppe Cookie Box Giveaway Rules
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Winner will be announced on social media January 8, 2022
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Sneak peek: Next month, I am sharing tips on how to be a better baker for 2022. I hope you come back and check it out! I miss you already.
NYE Resolution Boozy Cupcakes
Yields 1 dozen standard size cupcakes
Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup + 6 leveled tablespoons of AP (All Purpose)
1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg (I prefer brown eggs, but any large egg will do)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk (full-fat not low-fat)
6 tablespoons plain hot coffee (dark roast preferably)
Directions:
Turn oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, add all of the dry ingredients into a large sized mixing bowl. Use a whisk to combine. Then, add the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and oil at the same time to the dry mixture and mix until well combined. Do not over mix. Add the hot coffee last and stir in. Pour into prepared cupcake pans (parchment lined or spray with a non-stick spray such as Baker’s Joy). Do not over fill. Fill about 1/2 full. Bake for 18 -24 minutes. Oven temps can vary so check for doneness at 18 minutes.
Brown Sugar Frosting with Baileys™ Scrumptious Salted Caramel Irish Cream
Ingredients:
1 stick salted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup Baileys™
Directions:
Melt butter in saucepan on med - low heat. Add in brown sugar and boil on med - low for 3 -5 minutes. Stir frequently. Remove from heat and add in heavy whipping cream SLOWLY and stirring at the same time. Watch out because the reaction will be quick and the liquid can boil over and splatter. Stir until well combined. Let cool then add in powdered sugar, mixing a little at a time. Alternating with the Baileys™. Keep mixing until desired consistency. If too firm, add a tablespoon of heavy whipping cream and mix. If too soft and runny, add a little bit of powdered sugar and mix. Repeat steps until desired consistency is achieved. Frost cooled cupcakes.
Toppings
Ingredients:
2.7 oz Chocolate sprinkles
12 Pipettes (Michael's and Amazon carries them)
Baileys™ Scrumptious Salted Caramel Irish Cream
Directions:
Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on top of frosted cupcake. Fill pipette with Baileys™ and insert small end into frosted cupcake.