Giving into the Cupcake...Chocolate cupcakes with Cinnamon Honey Buttercream Frosting

I don't like being a trend follower, I much rather prefer being a trend setter. America's sudden infatuation with cupcakes baffles me. It isn't a cure for cancer people, it is just a small cake! I feel as if the cupcake is honestly just cake pulling a Superman/Clark Kent trick on everyone...anyone else feel like this, anyone...anyone...Bueller.

As a baker I find myself arguing against the cupcake often. When I pass a cupcake store I do not have the desire to go in, sometimes I pass it a million times and still don't go in. Am I curious as to what they have to offer? No, not in the least. I figured if I stood my ground long enough cupcakes would go away and I could say "I told you so." Unfortunately they are spreading faster then Starbucks in DC. Looks like they are here to stay, so I guess it is about time I started making cupcakes...and eating them.

Next time I go to NYC I plan on visiting this cupcake joint...Sweet Revenge. You might recognize the name, it is featured in a Chase Bank commercial. Here is a little video talking about their place. I like how they focus on taste and not looks, even though they have this great rustic awesome look going on. They have a great concept of pairing cupcakes with beer and wine...right on, right on. I plan on visiting one day soon! In the meantime I made these cupcakes for my brother's birthday and thought they were so good it was worth blogging about.

A BIG shout out and Happy Birthday to my little brother and big sister! They share a birthday but not much else! I always thought it was cool that you shared a birthday...I thought for sure you were really twins and somehow were born 4 years apart...it could happen right? In my mind we have always been the Three Musketeers and the four following us were our footmen...shhh...don't tell them I said that : ) Here's hoping you both have many years of adventures left...and if you ever need anything ask one of the footmen.

I made cupcakes and I liked it. You should make cupcakes, you will like it.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Cinnamon Honey Buttercream Frosting

Cupcakes
adapted from Ina Garten

Cream the following on low mixer speed for 5 minutes:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar

Scrape down bowl and add the following one at a time:

2 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla

In small separate bowl mix together the following liquid ingredients:

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
2 TBS brewed coffee

In separate bowl whisk together the following dry ingredients:

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Add 1/2 of the liquid ingredients to the butter mixture, mix, scrape bowl. Add half of the dry, mix, scrape. Add rest of liquid, mix, scrape. Add remaining dry and mix just until combined. Scoop into lined muffin tins. Bake 20-25 minutes in 350 degree oven until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool completely before frosting.

Cinnamon Honey frosting
Adapted from Martha Stewart

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 TBS Honey
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cream together until smooth, 1-2 minutes. The honey I used was crystallized so it gave the frosting a nice surprise crunch...very awesome on so many levels. : )