I just may have created the world’s most expensive cupcakes. Thanks to UPS. Let me explain…
My sister moves a lot for her job. And every time she moves, it’s become somewhat of a tradition for me to send her something homemade and chocolaty. She is moving this week and I sent her mini chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache frosting.
Did I mention my sister lives in England?? It cost me nearly a week’s worth of groceries to send these cupcakes to England! But I suppose you can’t put a price on these things. Besides, the Ina Garten recipe I used for these cupcakes was just perfect. This is a chocolate cake recipe and worked very well for making cup cakes.I didn’t use the butter cream frosting that came with the cake recipe. Instead I made a simple chocolate ganache (recipe below).
I had some left over batter, so I poured the batter into a big oven proof coffee mug and baked it right in the mug….this one is very literally a cup cake. It’s a lot of fun to eat out of the mug.
How to bake cup cakes in a coffee mug or cup
Make a batch of your favorite cake batter. I recommend Ina Garten’s chocolate cake recipe.
Start with clean coffee mugs. Make very sure that the coffee mugs are oven proof. Butter the inside of the mugs and lightly dust with flour. Alternatively, spray the inside of the mugs with non stick spray.
Pour the cake batter only half way up the mug.
Bake in a 350F oven.
Baking times will vary depending on the size of the mug you use. When the cake is done, the batter would have risen, and your kitchen will smell like cake. At this point insert a tooth pick into the cup cake. If its done, the tooth pick will come out clean. Make sure you dont over bake and dry out your cup cake. I used a fairly large mug and it took 25 minutes.
To serve, dust some powdered sugar on top or top the cake with chocolate ganache (recipe below). Serve with fresh berries of your choice.
Notes: Use the best cocoa powder you can afford. Try adding some kahlua or rum to the cake batter for a more intense flavor.
Microwave Method
I attempted a batch in the microwave. I used the same method above and microwaved the batter in the mug for about 3 minutes. It works. But the oven method tastes better and has better texture.
Chocolate Ganache
Makes enough to frost 2, 8 inch round cakes or about 60 mini cupcakes1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup heavy cream
Bring the cream to a simmer in a pan on low heat. Add the chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Turn off heat. Spread immediately on top of the cooled cake.
LOVE Ina Garten’s recipes. So authentic and works every time without any fancy catch phrase used!
Love the chocolate cake in cups, individual serving at best. Enjoy it and the weekend too!
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WOwow wat a lovely chocolate cup cake..yummy, send me some:d
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OH my God did u parcel this cup cake to UK ! Gal Ur sis is simply lucky! That is a gorgeous color contrast I ve seen!
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I really regret missing ur blog till now..Am stumped by the pics here.Abs fab!!.n what lovely dishes..Oh..Cool blog Veggie belly..me too love the ganache frosting so much..just had it yday..:)
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I have had chocolate cake on the brain lately! Every recipe I see for it looks so good, including this one.
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awesome cake… I really like the idea of baking in a cup.. like you said, it must be nice to eat cake from a cup
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what a beautiful picture… am in love with it.
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you read my sweet tooth
looks amazing!
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This looks amazing, I love the unique presentation too!
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What a great idea! So, does this mean that you get to go visit your sister??
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Cake in a cup!!Lovely idea..Yummy and delicious cake..
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Your pictures just get better and better. These cupcakes are so clever! I can’t wait to pick up some oven-proof mugs and give this a shot. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m sure your sister adored the thoughtfulness and deliciousness of your cupcakes
You are certainly a great sister to have!
I have just the cup for these. And one can make this in the microwave, you say? I might just have to take you up on that offer
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I am drooling over the pic Sala. Awesome one!
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Great looking cup cake.
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So simple yet gorgeous!!!!!
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That was really sweet of you… am sure R really appreciates the gesture, and probably moves often everytime she’s craving something chocolatey
I think baking them in cups makes for an awesome presentation and I’m game for anything with ganache.
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this is so much fun!!
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I just sat there staring at the first picture for 5 minutes. What a beautiful picture. Great photogrpahy and awesome recipe.
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cup cake in a cup!! how good can that be!!
looks divine!! glad to have found your blog..love it here and im gonna follow it..
do visit mine!
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Pics are simply beautiful..I have tries the MW version will surly try the oven one too.
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This cupcake looks absolutely amazing – really pretty and inventive too! I always love your photographs. Makes me want to spend more time in my kitchen
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What a wonderful idea! This is cupcake in the true sense:-) Just LOVE your pictures. Everyone of them.
ur sis is one lucky gal!
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Wow!! Your sis is lucky to have a sis like you. Wonderful pictures. mouthwatering shall i have a piece. Kindly collect your award.
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sensational. so dark, so moist, so smooth, and hey–you’re saving the world one wrapper-less cupcake at a time.
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wow .. looks soo awesome … I loved the pic
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Wow, you’re a great sister! I wish my sister would express mail me cupcakes:-) Nice idea taking the name quite literally. I used to make microwave chocolate cakes all the time when I lived in the dorms in college. The trick with the microwave is to undercook it so it has a cake layer and a chocolate goo layer underneath.
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This inspired me to make chocolate cake today! A big one, rather than little ones, but the idea was there
We had it with raspberries, cherries, and hot chocolate sauce. Gorgeous!
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wow what a nice chocolate cup cake and very innovative idea of baking it in a cup
….u have a wonderful blog with amazing pictures…
can u plz tell me which camera do u use?
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Cute idea,love those raspberries too.Must say you are a very thoughtful sis:)
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Your sister will love these, they came out beautiful!
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Gorgeous raspberries and chocolate! Have you ever seen a combination more divine? So mouthwatering…
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I used to find Ina Garten really annoying in the beginning. I’ve begun liking her and her recipes.:D
What a lovely idea to use a cup to make a single serving!
I’ve tried using the MW to make a cake once… it was just o.k… the oven baked ones are far superior and the taste (of the MW’d ones)is just not the same.
Have I told you lately how much I *love* your pictures?
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that looks sooo yummy. wish i could have it now
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I have made these two..they are like bowl of heaven!! aaahh! I made mine using a ramekin though…Lov the pic.
As fo the query here is my answer :
sala : I use glass jars which I got from Dollar store for a dollar(duh!) as seen in the photo
oh yes you can reuse the old jars. I bought mine god knows when and I have been using it again and again and again…make sure to do the specified canning process and u r good to go one any jars..I havent tried with plastic though…so am not sure how it works..Have always used glass jars.
Yeah..we dont add preservatives as such right, so its better if you refriegerate them. I just read somewhere that preparing Jams this way can increase the shelf to to 12 months!!!!!! although its safe to consume it within 6 months
I know its a bit long – Hope this helps.
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You sister is one lucky girl! The photos are so very pretty: how creative.
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I am really happy to invite you to participate in the contest that is getting launced on Feb 20 2009 – check out this link for details – http://justurs.blogspot.com/2009/02/magnificent-click-contest-2009.html contest.
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Shipping is definitely the most difficult part of sending food as a gift. The cup cake in a cup looks fantastic!
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Most delicious and luxurious chocolate cupcake indeed.
Cheers,
Elra
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Abs. adorable.
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Wow, that pic is stunning! Cake looks fabulous and so well presented!
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just amazingly gorgeous just like the baker herself!
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Sala, I love your blog. It’s all so lovely, cheerful and bright!
How lucky your sister is.
Those cupcakes have me drooling!
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Wow! Will you be MY sister?
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Awesome looking cake
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The chocolate cup cake looks lovely. The pics are so beautiful that I am tempted to take a bite right now.
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simply gorgeous!
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I envy your sister for receiving something chocolaty frequently
Lovely post and the cup-cake looks gorgeous!
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wait….you sent cupcakes to the UK?! OMG! You are such a darling! I’m curious to know they reached in good condition? Did they retain their shape?
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I thought you guys might like an update on the cupcakes (since they generated so much interest and so many emails!).
I packed the cupcakes tightly together in a big godiva chocolate box. My sister says they reached in perfect condition and tasted great.
She invited friends over and had a cup cake party the day they arrived
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I love Ina’s show.Each and every recipe of hers is so perfect and authentic.Loved the cakes in the cups,perfect for winter:)
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love the photos..Cupcake looks sooo appetizing. Your photos remind me of some of the food pics on food network. Great job
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Cup cake looks so inviting & yummy, wish I was your sister….
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