CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES W/ DULCE DE LECHE ICING

ok do not feel bad if you aren't really sure what dulce de leche is. honestly? to this day i just think of the jeans - i mean come on! i do work in the fashion industry - of-course that doesn't really help since they aren't spelled the same. yeah anyways it is has nothing to do with fancy shoes and handbags. dulce de leche is south american and translates to "milk candy". so with a translation like that its a bit obvious what this is panning out to be. yes it is sugary milk boiled down over a long period of time until its dark, gooey and scrumpish. I made my own - which i will try and post one day - but you can buy yours anywhere and i am sure it will be just perfect.

speaking of making the stuff. i came up with this little ditty as a result of ruining my second batch of this goo. josh's sister is coming in town for the weekend and so i was planning to make alfajores (kinda a south american answer to moon pies) for weekend treats. but when i made my extra batch - wanting them to be extra thick to hold up between two cookies - well i neglected it and yes burned it! so i was left with my first batch which was thinner, hmmm seems like it needed a new home foster home along side some butter and sugar. so here's to it - delish. does the icing "design" look a little like a cow pattie to you? just a thought.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

1c flour

1c sugar

1/4c + 2tbs good quality cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2c buttermilk

1/4c vegetable oil

1 extra large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2c fresh brewed coffee

*preheat oven to 350 F and line a muffin pan

* sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa, soda, baking powder and salt. mix to combine

* in a separate bowl beat the buttermilk, oil, egg and vanilla with an electric mixer to combine

* with the mixer on slowly add in the flour mixture

* once all of the flour is incorporated add in your coffee. stir to combine

* spoon into your lined muffin tins

* bake for 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean

DULCE DE LECHE ICING

3oz butter, melted and cooled

8oz powdered sugar

3 tbs dulce de leche

1-2 tbs water or milk

1 tsp vanilla

*melt butter, pour into your mixing bowl and let cool to room temperature

*beat in sugar slowly until the combination looks a little crumbly

*add in a little of the water and dulce de leche, beat to combine then add more sugar

*repeat until all the sugar is used and it is the consistency you desire.