Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

Found this recipe on pinterest from the Cinnamon, Spice and everything nice blog.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup boiling water
 
Filling:

• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 + 1/4 cups marshmallow fluff/creme
Ganache:
• 5 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup heavy cream, warmed in a saucepan
 
Squiggles:
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1-2 tsp milk



1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with liners.
2. Whisk the flour with the cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl beat the butter 2 minutes until smooth and creamy. On medium speed gradually add the sugar, beating until light and smooth 5 minutes. On low speed beat in the eggs and yolk one at a time. Beat in the vanilla.
4. On low speed add the flour in 4 additions beating well after each one. Drizzle in 2 tbsps of the hot water at a time, mixing briefly until a smooth batter forms.
5. Fill the cupcake liners with 1/4 cup of batter each. Bake 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes clean from center. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes then remove and cool completely on wire racks. If your cupcakes rise too high and aren't flat on top you can turn them on their side and slice off the tops with a serrated knife to make them level. Save them and make mini whoopie pies with the leftover filling.
6. Whisk the marshmallow fluff and butter together in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Transfer to a pastry bag with a wide tip. Stick the tip down into the center of each cupcake and squeeze out 1-2 tablespoons of filling.
7. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer in small saucepan. Pour over top of the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Allow to sit 2-3 minutes then whisk until smooth. Dollop a big spoonful of ganache over top of each cupcake and spread from edge to edge using the back of the spoon. Allow to set 15-20 minutes.
8. Whisk confectioners' sugar with a teaspoon of milk, add more as needed to make a thick icing. Drizzle over top or use a pastry bag with a small tip to decorate the top. Keep refrigerated.

Irish Soda Bread

I tried a new Irish Soda Bread recipe this year that I saw while watching Rachael Ray.

• 2 1/2 cups currants
• 1/2 cup water
• 5 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 stick butter
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 lg eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Boil the water and place the currants in a small bowl and cover with boiling water to reconstitute. Let stand until softened and plump and drain.
3. In a lg bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
4. Add the butter and incorporate into mixture until in lg sized crumbs.
5. Mix in currants
6. In a medium bowl whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Add to dry mixture. Stir until incorporated.
7. I baked this in a dutch oven that I sprayed with cooking spray.
8. Bake 1hour 20 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
9. Let cool a little before removing bread from pan.