photo project | 15: Chocolate Love.

I baked some chocolate cupcakes today. It's one of those days that I wanted to try out a "new" recipe, but time isn't a luxury I have. Well, that didn't stop me. I went on with the experiment, only to be disappointed after an hour. It just wasn't right up my alley. 

No, it wasn't a total disaster. It just didn't taste good for me. :|

I won't tell you what recipe I tried. It had some very great reviews, even my Mom vouched for it. It just didn't work for me.

Maybe it wasn't really the right time to make them. Now, I don't know what to do with a 10 cupcakes.

I might just give them to that old man living at the corner of our street.

Anyway, since that chocolate cupcake didn't satisfy my craving, I brought a chocolate bar to work today. I got it from Binondo last Sunday when my cousins and I went on a crazy food trip (more on that soon...). I got it at a very cheap price of Php 21.50 (approx $0.50).

I admit, the packaging intrigued me, so much that I got two bars. I wasn't really expecting too much from it, but after eating one square, I was hooked.

It definitely didn't taste cheap. While it isn't very chocolate-y, it was still good for something that costs 20 bucks.

I'm down to half a bar -- even my workmates loved it, and I can't wait to go back to Binondo to hoard more. Hahaha.

Anyway, I found out that Elvan isn't really a cheap brand of chocolates. It actually came from Istanbul, Turkey and they've got loads of chocolate products. Check out their website, I assure you, you'll be amazed.

I hope I can find more of their chocolate loot at the grocery store in Binondo. I can't wait to try their Truffle, Coffex, and Caramelli line.

And on to a different chocolate brand... I am totally diggin' this, too:

What are they?

Reese's Pieces!

photo project | 14: Peanut Butter.

Today, I spruced up some vanilla cupcakes using an experimental dark chocolate ganache as filling and a yummy peanut butter frosting to polish the look.

Chocolate and peanut butter... Peanut butter and chocolate. How can you go wrong with that?

NEVER.

What can I say, I'm impressed. ;)

I am kinda bummed out, so let the photos do the talking, yes?

Dark chocolate ganache made from tablea and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Three's a crowd.

Heaven.... in a cup.

cupcake project | 05: marshmallow cupcakes.

Marshmallow cupcakes...

How does that sound to you?

Mighty awesome, yeah?

No, it's not like my Oreo-Graham Marshmallow Cupcake. It's not even the same as S'mores Cupcake.

It's so simple. Think chocolate cupcakes filled with melted marshmallows.

Easy peasy!

24 vanilla cupcakes was too much for me, and I just couldn't finish them all even with the help of my friends at work.

I don't know how I stumbled upon the recipe, I don't even remember where I got it.

All I remember is seeing something pink inside the cupcakes and I knew I'm sold.

Curious yet?

Here's the recipe:

Marshmallow Cupcakes  

For the cupcakes: 

3/4 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
a scant 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3 tbsp butter, cut into pieces & at room temp
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract  

Preheat oven to 325F. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.  

Mix together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Beat on low speed until sandy in consistency.  

Slowly add milk and vanilla to the flour mixture. Add in egg and beat well.  

Scoop batter into prepare pan until 2/3 full. Bake for 20 mins.  

Cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool some more.

Marshmallow Filling 

12 medium colored marshmallows
2-3 tbsp corn syrup
preferred food coloring, if using white marshmallows  

Melt marshmallows, corn syrup, and food coloring, if using  in a double boiler. Stir constantly until melted.  

Once cupcakes are cool, hollow out center of cupcakes and fill with marshmallow filling,  

I initially had a hard time filling the cupcakes since the melted marshmallows can be very sticky. You also have to work quickly as the marshmallows can dry out once exposed to air. If they do dry out, you may reheat it.
Replace "caps" on cupcakes and frost with your favorite frosting.