Oct. 18 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day

downtonabbeycooks

3 years ago

On October 18, the US pays tribute to the chocolate cupcake although every day should be National chocolate cupcake day in my mind! What a brilliant concept: a mini cake to call one’s own! A great recipe made better by using tins, or “cups” as they initially were baked in. Who can argue that chocolate cupcakes, in particular, should take the lead?

Also known as fairy cakes in the UK, cupcakes date back to 1796 and the first American published recipe in Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery: “A light Cake to bake in small cups. Half a pound sugar, half a pound butter, rubbed into two pounds flour, one glass wine, one do. [glass] Rosewater, two do.[glass] Emptins, a nutmeg, cinnamon and currants.”

Hostess started mass-producing its first snack cake called CupCake in the 1900s. In the 1950s, Winston Churchill was the first person to suggest frosting cupcakes. Previously, the small cakes were made with dried fruit, spices and lard.

Healthier Cupcakes

You may be surprised that you can have your own delicious cake without adversely affecting your health. Here are a couple of recipes with vegetables that give them a healthy kick.

Sweet Potato: Awesomely Healthy Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Zucchini: Keto Chocolate Cupcakes

The Famous Wellesley Fudge Cake Recipe

When it comes to historical recipes, my favourite recipe is the dense fudgy type cake that dates back to Wellesley College in the 1890s.

The Wellesley Fudge Cake Recipe Makes Great Cupcakes

This recipe was first served in the late 1890s at the Wellesley Tea Room, at the well-known Massachusetts women's college. Because of its dense richness, I love to make as celebratory birthday cupcakes.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cupcakes

Ingredients

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup hot water
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. and prepare two 9-inch layer pans or 2 12-cup cupcake tray. Set a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the water, stirring until the mixture is smooth and remove the bowl from the heat.
Mix flour, soda and salt in a bowl.
Cream butter. Gradually beat in brown sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each. Alternately add flour mixture, milk and water, beating after each addition until smooth. Blend in vanilla and melted chocolate mixture.
Pour into your pans. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean.
Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans and finish cooling on racks. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides or frost your cupcakes. Garnish with chopped nuts, if desired.

Notes

Delicous Chocolate Fudge Icing

This is a quick and easy fudge icing which sets up nicely when it sets.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, English

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings cupcakes

Calories 877kcal

Ingredients

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 dash salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

Melt chocolate with butter over very low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat.
Combine sugar, salt, milk and vanilla. Add chocolate, blending well. If necessary, let stand until it sets to spreading consistency, stirring occasionally.
Spread quickly, adding a small amount of additional milk if frosting thickens.
Makes about 2 1/2 cups, or enough to cover tops and sides of two 8 or 9-inch layers, the top and sides of one 9-inch square or 13 x 9-inch cake, or the tops of 24 cupcakes.

Notes

Nutrition