Chocolate Espresso Cookies

These chocolate espresso cookies, although I personally think they look similar to the Brownie Cookies, taste much different. They are a bold surprise if you're not expecting the blast of coffee taste. They are a great addition to any morning!

Chocolate Espresso (Mini) Chessecake [sms]

This week's Sweet Melissa Sundays pick, Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake, was chosen by Shandy of Pastry Heaven.

Being late and missing a couple of the picks from last month, I decided that I would make this super early - Tuesday!

I had left out the rum - since I am afterall still underage. Also, I left out the hazelnuts in the cookie crust part - I didn't have enough time to get some. I don't think either really made a big difference. I also left out the glaze on top - I made these mini cheesecakes in the nick of time. They were out and ready about 30 minutes before I had to leave.

The crust ended up a bit harder than I wanted it, but overall it was still really good. The cheesecake part was very rich and creamy - so rich and creamy that I kind of didn't want to finish it, but I did! I gave them out to my friends and such, and they all enjoyed it. I think my roommates did too!

Recipe for the cheesecake here! Make sure to check out the rest of the SMS bakers on the blogroll.

Foothill Banquet Cupcakes

They are just simple one bowl chocolate cupcakes and vanilla cupcakes. They were topped with an espresso whipped cream. It was really fun to make. This has got to be the biggest project so far. I mean everyone loves cupcakes in my divison so this only shows how good of a baker I am. If that seems a little conceited, it might just be. I had basically 2 day notice to make 60 cupcakes. I mean its not that bad, but add in the fact that I had made tiramisu cupcakes the day before.
So I decided that night after the big dinner with everyone, I had started on these cupcakes. Alex and Macky were at my place again and well, didn't help, but we did watch a marathon on Jon & Kate plus Eight.

Since this was for a banquet for a friend, I decided to decorate it relating to the banquet itself and Ali, the president of the club that was celebrating. YAY for more pictures now!

Congrats to Foothill CKI!
so who does Ali love?
Sorry for the blurriness, I guess I just cant stay still.

<3 Nina

Espresso Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

So today, I have two friends who have their end of the year parties. I decided to bake them something special. One of them has been there for me when I wanted to start a new project for Circle K - Baking for Soldiers, and the other was my biggest supporter through my whole baking experience. This was my way of thanking them. I know one of them loves coffee - therefore the espresso part, but who doesn't love chocolate right?

Cupcake part!
Ingredients:
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup + 2 tablespoons self-rising cake flour
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of espresso coffee powder
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
3 tablespoons milk
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the oil and sugar together until somewhat creamy. Then add eggs and pulse using your electric mixer. Add the flour, cocoa, and coffee powder and mix until smooth. Finally add the chocolate and milk.
I used two tablespoons for each cupcake, but I would suggest using a little less.
Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan.

Finished cupcake!

Frosting:
Can of Duncan Hines Chocolate whipped frosting
Some milk or heavy whipping cream

Mix together until pipeable.

To put everything together

Cut the tops off because they make a great tasting and its easier to pipe on flat surfaces.
Pipe using whatever tip you want to.
Then use the tops (if you want) and crumble them for the something extra on top.

You can eat the extra tops, or give them to the people who don't get all the cupcakes

recipe inspired/comes from here
<3 Nina