Hummingbird Black Bottom Cupcakes

It was David's birthday yesterday and for once, I immediately knew what to do with the cake situation.  I don't usually bake cakes, mostly because while I like my "special occasion" cakes to be professional looking works of art, the reality is that I generally lack both the patience and skill to bring about that result.

Cupcakes however are completely different situation.  Ever since I tried my hand at the first recipe I pulled out of my much loved Hummingbird Bakery cookbook, I was in love with the whole cupcake process.  And ever since David sampled the results of this fantastic recipe, he has been in love with them too.  

  

It's probably important to mention for any cupcake purists out there that this recipe is not going to deliver your familiar style of light, chocolatey sponge. (You've been warned!)  These are most definitely cupcakes on steroids. However, what they lack in fluff, they make up for in pure density of ultra rich dark chocolate--not to mention that smooth layer of tangy cheesecake!  Traditional? No. Divine? Most definitely. 

For the chocolate base

1. 190g plain flour
2. 120g caster sugar
3. 40g cocoa powder, plus extra to decorate
4. ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
5. 40 ml sunflower oil
6. 1½ tsps white vinegar
7. ½ tsp vanilla extract
8. *50 g dark chocolate mini chips. This is optional adaptation, but gives sponge base a richer texture. 

For the cheesecake filling

1. 140g cream cheese
2. 60g caster sugar
3. 1 egg
4. ½ tsp vanilla extract
5. A pinch of salt
6. 100g milk chocolate chips

For the cream cheese frosting

1. 300g icing sugar, sifted
2. 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature
3. 125g cream cheese, cold
4. 
   
5. Method 

• Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3. For the chocolate base put the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl and mix with a handheld electric whisk on slow speed until all the dry ingredients are well incorporated.
• Put the oil, vinegar, vanilla extract and 125 ml water in a bowl and whisk to combine. While the electric whisk is running in the flour bowl, slowly add the contents of the liquid mixture, increasing the speed of the blender as the mixture thickens. Continue to beat until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Line a 12 hole cupcake tray with paper cases. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and set aside.  *NOTE: for optimal fudginess, moisten your fingertips and press the doughy mixture solidly into each case. 
• For the cheesecake filling: beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla extract and salt in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until smooth and fluffy.
• Stir in the chocolate chips by hand until evenly dispersed. Don’t overmix, otherwise the cream cheese will start to split.
• Scoop about 1-2 tbsp of the cheesecake filling on top of the cupcake mixture. I recommend covering the entire surface of the chocolate base as the cheesecake gives a great contrast to the less sweet chocolate layer.
• Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cupcakes are firm to the touch and they have an even golden colour on the cheesecake filling. 
• Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the cream cheese frosting: beat the icing sugar and butter together in a freestanding electric mixer (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture is well blended. Add the cream cheese and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny.
• When the cupcakes are cold, spoon the cream cheese frosting on top and decorate with a light sprinkling of cocoa powder (optional). Or in the case of a birthday, we went with festive gold leaf stars!

Laduree Love

One gift wrapped box. Two little words...

I arrived home last night soaked from yet another relentlessly soggy London day, all set to deliver the rant that I had perfected in protest of living in a country that has seemingly exported the sun to our European neighbors for the entirety of the summer.  But then something happened. With one quick peek into the familiar little bag David placed in front of me, my angst suddenly just melted away.

Laduree macaroons.  So many accolades and love letters have been written about these little tokens of Parisian perfection that there isn't really much more to say.  Not to mention that there are so many photographs of the elegant Laduree interiors and packaging floating about that the brand has practically come to define modern day food porn.

So no, they're not a new confectionary revelation. That would be like saying cupcakes are the next big thing. In fact, in Paris macaroons are treading dangerously close to becoming unfashionably passe. But last night when I pulled out the impeccably wrapped box in that trademark Laduree pale green, I was anything but blase.  These weren't just macaroons.  They were Laduree macaroons.   

Here's the thing. I'm not really the biggest macaroon fan.  Most of them I can honestly take or leave. But then I tried Laduree and that changed the whole ballgame.  However, even within Laduree, there are perfection levels. All their macaroons easily qualify as good, but some redefine the word.  

And since these precious little nuggets don't come cheap, here's a little cheat sheet of my personal Top 5:

1. Caramel with Salted Butter.  Have you ever roasted a marshmallow and after it turns light brown but just before it reaches the serious-risk-of-igniting point, there is that deeply golden sizzling stage where you literally hear the burning sugar caramelizing inside?  This macaroon is like that.  Only salted. And buttery. Oh, and without all the mess. Bonus!

2. Lemon and Thyme - Quite literally a rotation of taste sensations on your tongue. First you immediately get the thyme, which is just an awesome herb and each time I taste it I always wonder why I don't use it more.  Then comes the lemon.  So tart and tingly on your tongue, almost to the point you think you're going to pucker. But you won't, because suddenly here comes that gorgeous thyme taste again.  Swallow and repeat.

3.  Licorice -  This one is pretty subjective.  Licorice is a lot like Marmite. You either love it or hate it.  I'm probably a bit biased because personally, I love it.  Plus, a moody black macaroon surrounded by a sea of beautiful bright colors can't help but win my affection.  Even if you're not the biggest fan of licorice, this one is worth a shot, if just for its uniqueness.

4.  Granny Smith Apple -  First off, if you don't like tart or sour apples, you won't like this one. Because they nailed it.  I have no idea what the actual flavoring substance is, nor what coloring additive is used to turn these macaroons into the extra-terrestrial green that they are. But don't worry about such details, just enjoy.  Apples will never taste this good. 

5. Madagascar Chocolate  - A bit of a safe choice, but assuming there are many people out there who appreciate really good chocolate as much as I do, it's worth the mention.  Plus, Laduree does TWO chocolate macaroons: regular and this version.  If you're partial to deep, dark fudgyness that reminds you of a moist chocolate brownie, here's your winner.

For my friends back in the US, for now I can only feel you pain as so far our French neighbors have kept these gems just out of your reach.  However, word has it that's all changing and New York will soon be blessed with a Laduree of their very own this very summer.  Bon appetit!!

*image credits: (All collage images listed clockwise)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Horsing About in London

It is David's birthday this weekend, and for the past few months I have been wavering back and forth on how I wanted to handle his gift. Ultimately, I decided to organize a weekend of surprise activities that might even lead to us discovering a new couples' hobby that hopefully we will continue to do together in the future.  Or not. A lot probably depends on how this all goes.  First up on the birthday weekend itinerary... private riding lessons. 

To be fair, this first one's a little bit of a cheat as horseback riding already has sentimental meaning to us after David proposed to me during a ride in Provence.  It was by FAR the longest he had ever been on a horse, and despite his clear bowleggedness the following day, he still maintains that he loved it.  But let's be honest--it's unlikely he even remembers the actual riding part, considering there was the matter of a small question to be popped looming just ahead.  I stongly suspect that this outing will be the real test.

Admittedly, planning for this particular activity has already had one unintended consequence...

Chalk it up to years of perusing too many issues of Tatler or British Vogue with their impossibly chic country manor settings, but I have suddenly developed an overwhelming desire to expunge the entire contents of my wardrobe and replace them with nothing but these fantastically posh and delightfully impractical pieces.  

Honestly, I think I'll be hiding the credit cards until this little obsession is safely out of my system. Still, a girl can swoon...

* images courtesy of:

1, 6, 7 -- social and personal

2 - a noble savage

3, 5 - cheval chic

4 - trends and streets

8 - harmonia melodia

9- unknown

Postcards from Dubrovnik: The Colors of Croatia

While living back in the States, one of the things I remember envying most about my friends in London were the amazing travel destinations they had on their doorstep.  Despite the vastness and variety of beautiful places within the US, I still envied how the equivalent of a plane ride from Chicago to Los Angeles would land them in such far-away, exotic locations as Egypt, Turkey, Croatia and Morocco, to say nothing of all the classic destinations of Western Europe. 

After arriving in the UK, I couldn't wait to start tackling some of the places on my bucket list, and the first stamp in my passport was a 4-day extended weekend in Croatia.  Given the length of stay, I focused primarily on Dubrovnik and it didnt disappoint. 

Warm, soothing colors exude from this historic city as the bright sun refracts off the deep blues of the Adriatic and illuminates the signature terracotta red rooftops of the Old Town. 

Toward late afternoon, the neutral pallets of the narrow cobblestone streets melt into rich carmel hues as the resident cats and tourists alike find their little corners to bathe in the warmth of the light. 

5 "Must Do's" When in Dubrovnik:

STAY:  Pucic Palace.  A nobleman's townhouse turned luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town.  (See photos 14 & 15 above).

EAT:  Nautika.  Romantic al fresco dining on the edge of the Adriatic Sea.  It's pricey, but worth the splurge for its fresh seafood, gorgeous views and beautiful sunsets.

DRINK:  Bar Buzza.  Famously hidden "dive" bar built into the cliffside with panoramic views of Lokrum Island.  Ask a local for directions, than look for a small lone sign for "cold drinks" to steer you towards the tiny alleyway entrance.

SHOP: Morning weekday market at Gundulic Square. Sip your morning coffee while strolling through the maze of red and white umbrellas browsing the freshest produce, hand pressed olive oils and beautifully packaged local delicacies. 

SEE: Lokrum Island. A 15-minute boat journey takes you to this beautifully isolated nature reserve, where you are free to explore the Benedictine monastery ruins and extensive wild botanical gardens. Just keep your cameras ready for an encounter with the island's wild peacocks.

*image credits 

14, 15

Afternoon in a Parisien Cafe

It's raining in London this week. 

Correction...it's raining a LOT in London this week.  

While I still remember my recent unbridled enthusiasm while expounding on the joys of fabulous English summer rituals in this great city, that optimism has been temporarily diluted by the fact that I have not seen the sun for two consecutive days since we returned from Italy a few weeks ago.  So much for my hard earned tan. So much for Summer.

Although the clouds will surely tire of their present location at some point, it's afternoons such as these when one needs to escape from the dreary reality of the day and take a wander elsewhere.  For me, I've found my solace in soaking up these exquisite snippets of cafe culture in Paris, shot by Nichole Robertson of Little Brown Pen.  While all her photographs are impossibly beautiful, I've always found something infinitely romantic about spending long leisurely afternoons at a Parisian cafe, sipping my cappuccino and just watching the world pass by.

If you could use a change of scenery, come over to la rive gauche for an afternoon coffee or maybe a post work aperitif.  Reality can wait...  Au bientot!

image credits
1, 2, 3-11

Death, Taxes and "Just Because" Flowers

You know the old saying that nothing is certain except death and taxes?  With all due respect to Mr. Franklin, I think he overlooked a few things.  For me, thankfully there ARE a few more certainties  in life.  Happily, they come in the form of some simple pleasures that never, ever fail to bring a smile to my face.  I was reminded of this today when I arrived home to my flat to find one of my favorite surprises of all waiting on my doorstep:  A fabulous bouquet of "just because" flowers.

The simple power of "just because" flowers is exactly that--they are not meant to extricate a loved one from the doghouse, nor given as a formality or in repayment for a good deed.  They are simply "because." And thus, they are the most rare of all.  (Guys--take note!)  Needless to say, my day was totally made.

In the interest of full disclosure, however, I feel the need to add that it is entirely possible they MAY have also come as a replacement to this:

Now I realize that the photography above is bad, the exposure quite poor, yadda yadda...but let's just be honest. This is hands down the ugliest bouquet of flowers to have ever entered our home. To have ever entered ANYONE'S home...

I would feel bad saying so if my husband didn't completely agree, and I still laugh every time I see them on the table reminding me of the somewhat confused conversation that surrounded his presentation of such a bouquet:

D: (while assembling the bizarre assortment of flowers above): "I got you these 4th of July flowers because it's July 4th."

M: (trying to stifle confused laughter) "Wow...thanks.  Did you pick these out yourself?  I mean, on purpose?" 

D: "Yep! I know the combination is pretty horrible, and you hate red roses.  But I had to buy them for you anyway." 

M:  "Um, sure.  But you DO know that giving your wife flowers is not a standard requirement for observing Independence Day, right?"

D:  "I know, but I still had to buy them." 

M: ???

D: "Because I really did look everywhere, and I'm sorry, but I just couldn't find an American flag to get you." 

So yeah, this pretty much confirms we will be having a "Holiday Traditions 101" crash course in the very near future--if only to avoid an unexpected flag presentation next year, not to mention I still have no idea what the hell Boxing Day is all about!