Caramel Mocha Cupcakes...oh my!

This weekend was a fun time! I went to the coolest girls night out party you have ever heard of. It was a "Pity Party". It was hilarious. When you can sit around with some other 'mom' friends with out your children in tow you know it's going to be a glorious time! We played games, shared our 'pity party' stories, and even had a dessert competition. I had the best time getting to know these ladies better. I feel so blessed to be able to call them friends. There are rumors of another one in June so I am really praying this pans out because I had so much fun at this one!

I wanted to share with you what I made for the dessert competition. Never have I ever...made fancy cupcakes and practically had heart palpitations while doing it before now. I know how amazing these ladies are with their cooking and baking skills so I knew I couldn't just make a tray of brownies and be done. Anyone who knows me knows there are certain things that are just me.

1. I do not enjoy baking nor am I good at it. I love to cook. I guess I have never really been a 'sweets' person.
2. I love chocolate.
3. I love coffee.

These are the three things you really have to know about me. Yes I admit them. That's the first step. (o;

Well I found this blog that had this amazing cupcake recipe that sounded like I might be able to pull it off. Caramel Mocha Cupcakes...WHAT?! Coffee AND Chocolate in the same recipe. It didn't even just call for any chocolate. It was dark chocolate. I know. Amazing right?! Ok...I'm making it. Done deal.

Well I was so stressed out about making this since I had to make the icing from scratch and the last several times I tried that, my icing got all drippy. It was not pretty and I was very discouraged. It also called for homemade chocolate ganache to be put on top the cupcake before adding the icing. Oh boy...what did I really get myself into this time. I decided if I was going to do this I was going to do it right and get a decorating kit for the first time in my life so I could make the frosting look some what cute. I don't know if it was all the chocolate covered espresso beans or Dove chocolate caramels I was munching on that was making me shaky all day but holey moley. I kept blaming it on the sugar but I really think it was nerves.

BY THE WAY...this is a little embarrassing or I guess maybe it should be since the hubby cracks up at me each time. He brought to my attention that I pronounce espresso as 'EXpresso'. Whatever! I know what I am talking about. It's not the only thing I mess up. I still have a very difficult time pronouncing 'Psalm' correctly. I pronounce it 'Palm' and that is not correct. It should be pronounced as "Salm" but I am sure you already knew that. Oh well. It gives my husband something to crack up at me about (although there are myriads of things he has the opportunity to laugh about with me in his life). 

Anyway, here is the finished product...

Not too bad, right? I was pretty impressed and felt like I could definitely try and make 'fancy' cupcakes again sometime. I added some chocolate sprinkles and a chocolate covered EXpresso (lol) bean to top them off.

I did not win the competition however the girl who won definitely deserved it. She made a canoli cake creation that was to DIE for. I never heard of or had that before and it was amazing. I am really hoping I can get that recipe. Oh it was heavenly. YUM!

If you want the recipe and full tutorial click here. I am pretty sure you can substitute one of these for your morning coffee. LOL

Maybe I CAN bake after all...but my heart will always belong to cooking.  (o;

I hope you have a blessed day! †

·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.· ஐ Rebecca ·.¸¸.·´´¯`··._.· ஐ