The Power of One

Happy National Chocolate Cupcake Day!!!

 

 



  Most days, when I bring cupcakes around, I inevitably hear "oh, I shouldn't eat that..."  and normally I say ok.  I get it.  People are trying to be healthy and I certainly don't want to be credited for contributing to the obesity problem in the United States.  But today, I'm not saying ok...I'm saying "just eat one, one won't hurt, one is not that big of a deal!!!"  And the truth of the matter is, one is not that big of a deal, when it comes to cupcakes that is...

There are times when one is a big deal. 
*ONE in four girls...
*ONE in six boys...
will be sexually abused by their 18th birthday. 
*ONE in ten kids who have been abused will tell. 

Sometimes one is a big deal.  There's another time when one is a big deal...

It only takes ONE person to step up and report abuse and save a child. 

Most states have mandatory reporting laws for child abuse.  If you live in Texas, the law REQUIRES you to report suspected child abuse.  Every citizen must report suspected abuse.  The number is 1.800.252.5400 or you can report online at www.txabusehotline.org. 

So today, as you enjoy your ONE chocolate cupcake, it's not that big of a deal.

But for a child who is being abused, ONE with courage is a big deal. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDCnbHHaPq8

National Chocolate Cupcake Day Chocolate Cupcakes

 

 

Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self- rising), sifted
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa, and salt.
2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in food color and vanilla.
3. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds.
4. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.
5. Let cupcakes sit for 10 minutes, then remove and place in an airtight container to cool. 
6. When cupcakes are cooled cut out a hole in the middle of the cupcake and fill with hot fudge. (used Hershey's)

 

(Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart)

 

Frosting

 

 Ingredients

1.  3 cups powdered sugar
2.  1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
3.  1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
4.  6 tablespoons buttermilk
5.  Pinch of salt

Directions

1.  Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix with mixer on med until combined about five minutes.  Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.  Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and chocolate chunks

(Recipe adapted from Julie Hasson's 125 Best Cupcake Recipes)