Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting
Sweet Valley High books started in 1983. I was 13 years old and made my mom buy countless books for me. Yeah, I've always been into chick lit and the RomCom. Anyway, in these novels, there is often the, as I call it, "electric moment." You know, when the girl sees the guy and it is electrifying. Or when their hands touch and she can feel the deep connection.
Well, I had that deep emotional connection. No, not with the Sweet Valley High guy, but with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting.
We celebrated two birthdays at the library earlier this week and I made some mini cupcakes. The cupcake is Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate cake with added espresso, and JustJenn's Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting.
The Mascarpone Frosting was divine. I'm not a fan of super sweet, buttery frosting, so this was heaven. It is light, slightly sweet and did I mention light? One of the birthday people said she could eat a whole bowl of the frosting. It is dangerous and delicious. Make it. You'll find that electric moment too.
Recipe:
1. Martha Stewart's One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcake - Make the recipe here, but add 1 T instant espresso powder (I use this brand) to the warm water to dissolve. It isn't overpowering, but it brings out the chocolate flavor. I baked the mini cupcakes for 10 minutes.
2. justJENN recipe for Mascarpone Frosting. Make this. Save some for the cupcakes and grab a big spoon and eat the rest.
50 comments:
this look good and yummy!
Look so, so delectable:--))
Delectable!!
wow sono bellissimi!! e chissà che buoni!! ciao!
OMG those look amazing, my favorite flavors!
The cupcakes look divine!
These are really gorgeous Mary! Love the combination of flavors and I just happen to have mascarpone in my fridge :)
What a delicious little treat. Thanks.
Oh wow! These look great! You had me at "espresso." Thanks for sharing, these will definitely have to go into my "to make" pile.
Gorgeous cupcakes!! A fabulous treat!
What a perfectly simple little cupcake. The mascarpone brings it home! GREG
I remember those Sweet Valley High books! I was so addicted to them. I'm not a fan of many frostings, so the mascarpone one sounds perfect for me.
I wish i could fill up a pool with these cupcakes and dive into them! They look SO good. Beautiful.
Gorgeous! Love the swirls on top of those cupcakes! Yum. :)
Ok so I am definitely saving this recipe. These are tiny and cute and sound delicious, esp the frosting. I just made some white chocolate mascarpone mousse last weekend and can appreciate how the cheese mellows out flavors.
Are those tiny little chocolate candies that you sprinkled on top? Adorable.
These are really dark and decadent looking cupcakes! The espresso gives chocolate a real kick. Great idea to make a mascarpone frosting too!
good call on these ones Mary!
Nice combo, the flavors remind me of tiramisu. I love the liners, too! Pretty all around :)
Hmmm, want to do my birthday cupcakes this year? Haha, just teasing.
I used to read SVH as well!!!! My mom also bought me some of the books, but I mostly got them from the library since I don't like to re-read books (I know what is going to happen, and there are too many other great books out there!). Little did I know that these books contributed to my confusion about my feelings (or lack thereof) toward men...ahhh, subliminal heterosexual brainwashing. LOL! Nevertheless, I was crazy about those books and could read a book within 1-2 hours.
These cupcakes look amazing. That frosting looks so fluffy! I love the added chocolate candies on top. What are they?
What are the candies on top? They are Valrhona Pearls Crunchy Dark Chocolate 55%. I get them from Surfas in Los Angeles.
http://www.culinarydistrict.com/Products/Chocolate-Candy/Valrhona-Pearls-Crunchy-55-10-oz
Wow, so pretty! I love the cloud of frosting on top. I used to be obsessed with Sweet Valley High.
These cupcakes look divine. I love espresso pastries, especially with a frosting like this!
Yum!
I used to love SVH books! I also read the Twins series and the University ones...it was a serious addiction!
Love the mascarpone frosting...I think it might be my prince charming...
Nom nom nom. Must try Jenn's mascarpone frosting asap!
Yum. These look so good love the espresso and choc combo, anytime!
These look amazing! Love that frosting.
Just another reason why I like you....SVH was the best series ever....12 years old, braces AND headgear, reading a Sweet Valley High book and dreaming of the day when I would wear a gold lavelier and drive a tiny red convertible around town.
Who hasn't had an electric moment with frosting? I know I have.
Thank you for answering my question and providing the link, Mary! You're awesome. I will look it up.
i could put mascarpone frosting on anything, its just so deliciously light and fluffy! and man, these cupcakes look so yummy!!
Next time I have to make cake, I'm totally stealing this entire setup. I've never met a mascarpone recipe that I didn't love and this frosting looks amazing. Beautiful cupcakes!!
HI MARY....so cute! I have been resisting buying those lights, but I think I must. Have a wonderful Sunday.
This is nice for children's party!
These pictures are incredible! I love the Martha Stewart recipe, too.
Okay you've convinced me I must make the frosting! I love mascarpone.
Love them. Two of my fave flavours... what's not to love! Coffee & mascarpone!! YUM!
mmmmmm! that sounds good...and i feel like it's been forever since i've had chocolate cake. i want!
ah, SVH! my english improved a lot when I started reading the series. :)It definitely brings back lots of memories. Your colleagues are truly lucky to work with you. Those cupcakes look delish!
Delicious! Look at all that frosting, I am seriously salivating. But in a good way, obviously. Not grossly.
These look amazing but you had me at SVH. *sigh*
I'm not surprised. We love mascarpone and have yet to make anything with it that wasn't delish.
~ingrid
I love SVH, too! I can't tell you how many hours I spent reading about Jessica, Elizabeth and the gang. I love mascarpone and will have to try this frosting recipe soon.
Do you know how this frosting would hold up on a warm sunny day at the park? I'm making cupcakes for a friend's birthday party, but need something sturdy, not too sweet, and must have natural ingrediants... no shortening or gross stuff like that. :)
Dear JoAnna #45, I don't think this will hold up very well on a warm day. Because it has heavy cream and the mascarpone cream, it is best served from the fridge or just at room temp. It's not "sturdy" for the outdoors...I wouldn't use it, just to be on the safe side. Have fun at the party! - mary
Lovely and testy recipe found in your blog. This is the first choice of my family members. I appreciate your presentation. Thank you so much.
Oh oh I made these yesterday and everyone loved them! They were a hit! Seriously, such a perfect combo! I will be whipping these up again soon =)
@The Food Librarian
Do you think that these would be okay to frost the night before? I am looking for a lovely, light frosting to top some Guinness cupcakes, but I need to frost them at night to bring in the morning.
@Stacey Dear Stacey, My friend frosted hers the night before and they were okay. Just be sure to keep them in the refrig. Your cupcakes sounds yummmmy! - mary
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