Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes & Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting
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.

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting
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.

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with 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.

Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes with Mascarpone Whipped Cream Frosting

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.
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50 comments:

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said... [Reply to comment]

this look good and yummy!

suma said... [Reply to comment]

Look so, so delectable:--))

suma said... [Reply to comment]

Delectable!!

Federica Simoni said... [Reply to comment]

wow sono bellissimi!! e chissà che buoni!! ciao!

Amanda said... [Reply to comment]

OMG those look amazing, my favorite flavors!

Maria said... [Reply to comment]

The cupcakes look divine!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

These are really gorgeous Mary! Love the combination of flavors and I just happen to have mascarpone in my fridge :)

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

What a delicious little treat. Thanks.

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Oh wow! These look great! You had me at "espresso." Thanks for sharing, these will definitely have to go into my "to make" pile.

Cherine said... [Reply to comment]

Gorgeous cupcakes!! A fabulous treat!

Sippity Sup said... [Reply to comment]

What a perfectly simple little cupcake. The mascarpone brings it home! GREG

kirbie said... [Reply to comment]

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.

Roxan said... [Reply to comment]

I wish i could fill up a pool with these cupcakes and dive into them! They look SO good. Beautiful.

Sara said... [Reply to comment]

Gorgeous! Love the swirls on top of those cupcakes! Yum. :)

The Cilantropist said... [Reply to comment]

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.

Barbara said... [Reply to comment]

These are really dark and decadent looking cupcakes! The espresso gives chocolate a real kick. Great idea to make a mascarpone frosting too!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

good call on these ones Mary!

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

Nice combo, the flavors remind me of tiramisu. I love the liners, too! Pretty all around :)

Esi said... [Reply to comment]

Hmmm, want to do my birthday cupcakes this year? Haha, just teasing.

Memória said... [Reply to comment]

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?

The Food Librarian said... [Reply to comment]

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

Steph said... [Reply to comment]

Wow, so pretty! I love the cloud of frosting on top. I used to be obsessed with Sweet Valley High.

DailyChef said... [Reply to comment]

These cupcakes look divine. I love espresso pastries, especially with a frosting like this!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Yum!

Joanne said... [Reply to comment]

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...

CB said... [Reply to comment]

Nom nom nom. Must try Jenn's mascarpone frosting asap!

tasteofbeirut said... [Reply to comment]

Yum. These look so good love the espresso and choc combo, anytime!

Megan said... [Reply to comment]

These look amazing! Love that frosting.

Mary said... [Reply to comment]

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.

Erin said... [Reply to comment]

Who hasn't had an electric moment with frosting? I know I have.

Memória said... [Reply to comment]

Thank you for answering my question and providing the link, Mary! You're awesome. I will look it up.

becky said... [Reply to comment]

i could put mascarpone frosting on anything, its just so deliciously light and fluffy! and man, these cupcakes look so yummy!!

Nancy/n.o.e said... [Reply to comment]

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!!

The Urban Baker said... [Reply to comment]

HI MARY....so cute! I have been resisting buying those lights, but I think I must. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Jenny said... [Reply to comment]

This is nice for children's party!

Christine said... [Reply to comment]

These pictures are incredible! I love the Martha Stewart recipe, too.

eatme_delicious said... [Reply to comment]

Okay you've convinced me I must make the frosting! I love mascarpone.

Deeba PAB said... [Reply to comment]

Love them. Two of my fave flavours... what's not to love! Coffee & mascarpone!! YUM!

steph- whisk/spoon said... [Reply to comment]

mmmmmm! that sounds good...and i feel like it's been forever since i've had chocolate cake. i want!

Mandy said... [Reply to comment]

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!

Mr. P said... [Reply to comment]

Delicious! Look at all that frosting, I am seriously salivating. But in a good way, obviously. Not grossly.

Eliana said... [Reply to comment]

These look amazing but you had me at SVH. *sigh*

Ingrid_3Bs said... [Reply to comment]

I'm not surprised. We love mascarpone and have yet to make anything with it that wasn't delish.
~ingrid

2.46% said... [Reply to comment]

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.

JoAnna said... [Reply to comment]

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. :)

The Food Librarian said... [Reply to comment]

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

Live tv on pc said... [Reply to comment]

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.

Abby Mae said... [Reply to comment]

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 =)

Stacey said... [Reply to comment]

@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.

The Food Librarian said... [Reply to comment]

@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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