Solar System Chocolate Cupcakes

I dedicate this post to my sweet birthday boy. He probably never would have guessed in his wildest dreams that mommy would do a blog post about the solar system - his current love. But, here we go...Solar System Birthday Cupcakes.

Logan always likes to ask people what their favorite planet is. Most have never thought about it before and have to think for a bit before answering. I always tell him Earth is my favorite and he always asks why. I love this beautiful planet, especially now that I'm seeing a tiny evidence of the spring we will soon experience.

Though Mars may seem really cool with it's red color or Jupiter's size may amaze (Logan tells me that 1,300 Earths can fit inside Jupiter), I think I'll always be partial to Earth. Even with all the bad, annoying, crappy, unfair, and down right stupid things that happen here, there are so many positive things and people and beauty to make up for it if you keep your eyes open.

Happy 5th birthday, Logan! I'm so glad you are here on Earth with me. I love your cuddles and hugs and the way you say "Mom?...I love you." I can't believe you are growing up so fast and already don't like me to kiss you nearly as much as I want to. I hope you enjoy your Solar System birthday party and it's just as perfect as you could ever imagine.

p.s. I'm sorry I didn't include Pluto. I know that you know that Pluto is now a dwarf planet (as you would say - got fired), but I think you would have liked it anyway. I just couldn't find any good pictures on NASA's website. Probably because Pluto is about 2.7 billion miles from Earth, but you probably already know that too.

p.p.s. Do you think they have chocolate cupcakes on Saturn? These are downright delicious, so I don't think I could live on a planet that doesn't have them.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes
adapted from Chocolate Fool

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds only

Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tins with cupcake cups or grease using nonstick cooking spray.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave, in 15 second intervals, making sure to stir in between. Set aside to cool down for a bit. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for 5 minutes, until it is pale and thick. Add in the butter. Mix until combined. Add in the melted chocolate. Now, add in the buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until well incorporated.

Add the flour mixture in 3 increments and beat until smooth. Divide batter into the cupcake tins. This batter made 30 cupcakes for me.

Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool.

Vanilla Almond Buttercream
adapted from Love and Olive Oil

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 3-3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 vanilla bean (seeds only)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• food coloring (optional)
  

For frosting, cream butter in electric mixer for 1-2 minutes until fluffy. Slowly add 1 cup sugar and beat until smooth. Add milk and mix until combined. Add remaining confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, and beat until well incorporated. Add vanilla seeds, extract, and food coloring, and mix at medium-high speed until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add more cream or sugar as necessary to achieve proper consistency. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.

Note: You will need 2 batches of frosting for the number of cupcakes. I piped the frosting with a Wilton 32 tip in a disposable decorating bag. Then I sprinkled with blue crystal sprinkles. These glow-in-the-dark stars are great for decorating the serving area.

Note 2: Yes, I realize now that I accidentally flipped Saturn and Jupiter in the picture. I am aware of the correct order of the planets, but I was hurrying to get these done before birthday boy got home from school and made a mistake.