Day 18

I bought this new cupcake pan to make filled cupcakes for Keaton's birthday party, and decided that I should try it out before the big day. You can see from the expressions on Haley and Gabrielle's faces what they thought of them. They are WAY to much work for the party though!

Buttercream filled chocolate cupcakes

2 1/4 c flour

1 3/4 c sugar

3/4 c shortening

2/3 c cocoa

1 1/2 c water

1 1/4 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour pan, set aside. In large bowl, beat all ingredients together on low speed, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl often. Spoon batter into prepared pan, filling each well 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan, invert onto a cooling rack. Clean pan and repeat.

Filling:

1 1/2 c powdered sugar

3 Tbsp. softened butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 to 2 Tbsp. milk

In a small bowl, beat all ingredients on low speed until smooth. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes adding additional milk if needed until smooth. Fill pastry bag and pipe or spoon filling into each cupcake.

Frosting:

2 c powdered sugar

1/3 c cocoa

1/4 c butter softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2-4 Tbsp. milk

In medium bowl blend all ingredients on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes until smooth.