Cupcakes

Tired of making Christmas cookies?  Whip up these easy cupcakes from scratch and thank me later.

Ingredients for Yellow Cake:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups self rising flour

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

2. Cream butter and then gradually add sugar.  Beat about 3 minutes until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beat until well-incorporated.

3. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.  Gently whisk through. 

4. Add dry ingredients in three parts (to butter mixture), alternating with milk and vanilla.  End with dry.

5. Fill cupcake liners half to 2/3 full.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Ingredients for Whipped Ganache Frosting:

• 6 ounces best-quality bittersweet chocolate 
• 4 teaspoons sugar (optional)
• 2 cups heavy cream

Directions for Frosting

1. Heat cream until it simmers

2. Placed finley chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.

3. Once the cream is at a gentle simmer, pour over chocolate.  Allow it to sit for a minute before stirring.

4. After  minute, slowly stir until chocolate is well-incorporated.  Cover and chill for 6 hrs.

5. Whip ganache until it is stiff.  Do not over-whip as it can appear granular.