My Blog Birthday! Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting |

My Blog Birthday! Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Filed under dessert - cakes/cupcakes

Mar 30
I can’t hardly believe that 2 years ago today, I started this little blog of mine. And back then, I would have never guessed what an impact it would have on my life.

Just over 2 years ago, I was looking for a hobby. I really had nothing that I was really passionate about. I had things that I liked to do, but nothing that I would wake up in the morning thinking about. So I set out to find something.

I had always enjoyed scrapbooking, and taking pictures is an integral part of that. I always wanted to get into photography, but never thought I had the creativity or “eye” for it. I even took a course in college many years ago, but got frustrated with myself because I never felt good enough. But since photography was always something I wanted to learn, I decided to go with it. I bought myself a new point and shoot camera, and I was off.

My first discovery was flickr. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent on there, going through the photos and being inspired. I started a photo-a-day project that was really a lot of fun for me. But eventually, I decided that I needed a niche. I came across some food photos on flickr, and I was led to Meeta’s blog – What’s For Lunch Honey. There, I was introduced to a whole world that I never knew existed – food blogs. I couldn’t resist – I wanted one!!

I originally started, thinking that it would be a good place for me to practice my photography and also record the food that I had made. I had been a long time member of allrecipes – and I loved it because I could tell others what I thought of recipes, and I could also get other opinions on recipes. But with food blogs, I get the same thing, but you get the writing, the stories, the photos and all that comes with a blog post.

I soon discovered that the food blogging world is not only vast, but it is a very friendly place. I’ve spent countless hours reading blogs, and writing and photographing for this one. I can’t imagine my life without it now. I had finally found that “hobby” that I am passionate about. Thank you all for sharing your lives and your food with me, and for letting me share mine!

Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes
adapted from Barefoot Contessa

Makes 12 cupcakes

For the Cupcakes
1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 (16-ounce) can Hershey’s chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

For the Ganache
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.

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 coffee granules 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 cool thoroughly in the muffin 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 tops of the cupcakes into the ganache. Do not refrigerate.

Vanilla Buttercream
from More from Magnolia

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
67 Comments

67 Responses to “My Blog Birthday! Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting”

Jingle said on March 30th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Those sound wonderful!

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Patsyk said on March 30th, 2009 at 4:58 pm

What wonderful cupcakes to celebrate your birthday! Lovely post, too!

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Cassie said on March 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

Beautiful cupcakes! And happy birthday

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Happy cook said on March 30th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Congragulations to your wonderful blog. And wishing you and you lovely blog many many more years of delicious blogging.

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Dawn said on March 30th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Oh congrats! We hope you stick around for another couple of years. I love Flickr too, very inspiring.

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Mama Goose said on March 30th, 2009 at 5:44 pm

Happy Blog Birthday Deborah!! I’m so happy that I found you. Keep up the great work!

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Colleen said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

Happy blog birthday! I look forward to the next year!

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Michelle @ Find Your Balance Health said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

Congrats on turning 2! I agree, the food blogger community is so friendly – I’m grateful for it!

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Rosa's Yummy Yums said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:12 pm

Happy Blog Birthday and keep up with the great work! These cupcakes look terrific and ever so pretty!

cheers,

Rosa

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glamah16 said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pm

Happy Blog Birthday and many more.

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Ingrid said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

Happy Blog Birthday!

I noticed that in the recipe you used large eggs but in most of Ina’s recipe she uses extra large ones. Did you just use lg but the recipe called for x-lg? I ask because I hardly make her recipes due to the egg size issue. I hate buying a dozen of x-lg for just 2 or 3 eggs when it seems everyone recipe calls for lg. We don’t eat eggs alone much so they’d sit awhile. Thx, for the info.
~ingrid

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Deborah said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Ingrid – I’m surprised anyone caught that!! Yeah, I used large eggs, and it worked just fine!

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Anonymous said on March 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

How much flour goes in these?

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Sara said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Happy blogiversary! I’ve been blogging for almost 2.5 years, it’s amazing how fast the time flies. I love looking back at all the things I’ve made. Your cupcakes look delicious.

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Deborah said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

Anon – thanks for catching that – the recipe has been fixed!

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Jamie @ Baldwin Bungalow said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

Happy Blogiversary!

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Anonymous said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Thanks for the update. Love the blog.

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sunita said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Happy second blogversary, dear Deb…wishing you many more

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Sarah said on March 30th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Happy Blog Birthday! Those cupcakes look fab!

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Emily said on March 30th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Happy Blogiversary! You’re awesome. Keep up the fantastic work.

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Ryley said on March 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Happy Bloggie Birthday!!!

Congrats…

Here’s too many many more!

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Erin said on March 30th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

These cupcakes look beautiful! I really enjoy reading your blog!

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Aimée said on March 30th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Love these colors! A very happy birthday to your blog!

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Sophie said on March 30th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

What a neat story, and this is the tastiest hobby too! I love photography too, but I like being able to eat what I make . The cupcakes are really pretty, I loooove the pink!

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Abby said on March 31st, 2009 at 12:21 am

Happy Blog Birthday!

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Ginny said on March 31st, 2009 at 12:35 am

Happy Blog Birthday! Those cupcakes are so cute!

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Claire said on March 31st, 2009 at 12:56 am

And your photography is wonderful! I love the background polka dots you chose…perfect! Congrats on your blog birthday.

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Meredith said on March 31st, 2009 at 12:59 am

Today is my ACTUAL birthday!! I am new to your blog and I have really loved reading your new recipes. I am going to try the spinach artichoke pasta this week. Keep up the wonderful recipes and pictures.

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Dragon said on March 31st, 2009 at 1:10 am

Congratulations on your blog anniversary! There is no better way to celebrate than with cookies.

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Brilynn said on March 31st, 2009 at 1:51 am

Meeta’s was the first food blog I came across too!
Happy 2nd anniversary!

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Wine Lover said on March 31st, 2009 at 4:56 am

Wow! It looks so nice and yummy!

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Elyse said on March 31st, 2009 at 5:39 am

Happy blogiversary!! I, for one, am super glad that you decided to pick up this hobby 2 years ago! And what wonderful celebratory cupcakes!

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Katie said on March 31st, 2009 at 7:03 am

Happy Blog Birthday! I’m so glad you decided to choose food blogging as your hobby. The cupcakes sound wonderful.

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Debbie said on March 31st, 2009 at 11:16 am

Well Happy Birthday and your cupcake is beautiful!

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Patricia Scarpin said on March 31st, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Hi, darling! Happy blog birthday!
These cupcakes look like the perfect way of celebrating it.

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MeetaK said on March 31st, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Happy happy blog birthday sweetie! Looking forward to many more. I had no idea that i led you to start your own food blog. i think i will pat myself on the shoulder because i like this space here! hugs!

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Grace said on March 31st, 2009 at 1:41 pm

you’ve made some gorgeous cupcakes for your special day. congrats, and PLEASE keep up the amazing work.

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kristina said on March 31st, 2009 at 1:48 pm

Happy second birthday! And looking forward to more great posts in the year ahead! K x

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kat said on March 31st, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Congrats on your blog birthday! I know what you mean about how much food blogging can impact your life, its crazy. Love those pictures with the polka dot backround! Do you still do a photo a day? I’m on year 3 of it.

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Fearless Kitchen said on March 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pm

These cupcakes look delightful!

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Joy the Baker said on March 31st, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Aw! What a sweet post! Happy Blog Birthday! It’s amazing what the food blogging community can do for you life, isn’t it!? Amazing! These cupcakes look just darling! Congratulations on two years!

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Cookie baker Lynn said on March 31st, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Happy blog birthday! Your stories, recipes, and beautiful photos are wonderful. Here’s to many more years of sharing the fun.

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oneordinaryday said on March 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm

This recipe sounds great and I’ve bookmarked to try asap. Your photos are just stunning. You are very talented!
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/

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Sara said on March 31st, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Happy Birthday! I just had my first blogiversary too. Your cupcakes are beautiful!

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gayle said on March 31st, 2009 at 8:44 pm

Happy blogiversary! I just found you recently, and have been enjoying the recipes. Thanks for all your lovely work!

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The Bentley Family said on April 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm

WOW! I had to read this a couple of times. So you make the cupcake, dip it in the ganache and then frost it? Sounds like chocolate heaven to me.

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ashley said on April 1st, 2009 at 4:29 pm

happy blog birthday! keep up the great work!

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Peabody said on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:36 am

Happy Blog Birthday, those cupcakes look like the right way to celebrate!

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Maria♥ said on April 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm

Oh I love these cupcakes, they are so cute! Happy belated Blog Birthday ;o)

Maria
x

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Anonymous said on April 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Did you use a can of syrup? I can’t find it and was wondering if it’s the same syrup as the squeeze bottle.

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Deborah said on April 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 pm

Anon – I did use a can. I found it where the other ice cream toppers are. But I’m pretty sure it’s the same as the syrup in the squeeze bottle!

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kamailesfood said on April 5th, 2009 at 3:27 am

Happy blog birthday! These cupcakes look like chocolate heaven! Perfect for a celebration.

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The Food Librarian said on April 7th, 2009 at 1:21 am

Happy Blogiversary!!! Great cupcakes. I always enjoy reading your blog…sorry I don’t comment all the time, but I do enjoy it!!!

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Kelvin said on April 8th, 2009 at 11:16 am

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Joannah

http://myscones.com/

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myfoodstoragedeals said on April 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pm

Congratulations! I have been a fan of your blog for a long time now and I am so glad you have found your niche!! I am passionate about food as well and I really enjoying getting new ideas and recipes from your site.

I have a question for you about advertising. I notice you have new advertisements on your blog. I would love for you to email me and we can discuss options. I am a local Utah mom as well and have a website http://www.dealstomeals.com and a food blog http://www.dealstomeals.blogspot.com and http://www.myfoodstoragedeals.blogspot.com. I would love to chat with you about options for our websites, blogs, and advertising. Our customers would LOVE your blog!

Thanks,

Shandra
http://www.dealstomeals.com

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Psychgrad said on April 13th, 2009 at 2:12 am

Happy belated blogaversary! Is it just me, or does the word “ganache” take everything up a notch?

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rania123456 said on April 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Awesome post! I love stuff like this.

Regard
http://www.red23.co.uk/

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