i was so kindly reminded recently that it had been a while since i had brought a homemade treat into the office for everyone.  well, way to be subtle…ha.  anyway, i did admit i hadn’t baked in a while, so i made these simple treats for this ravenous crowd:  life by chocolate cupcakes.  they’re so tasty and easy that you need to give them a try yourself!  click on for the recipe.

cupcake ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 whole eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 sticks (1 cup) butter

4 heaping Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 cup boiling water

24 unwrapped hershey’s kisses

ganache ingredients

8 ounces, weight, bittersweet chocolate

1 cup heavy cream

6 Tablespoons corn syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

cupcake directions

preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

spray 24 muffin cups with baking spray.

combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.  set aside.

in a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla.  stir to combine and set aside.

in a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  add cocoa powder and stir to combine.  add boiling water, allow to bubble for a few seconds, then turn off heat.

pour chocolate mixture over flour mixture.  stir a few times to cool the chocolate.  pour buttermilk mixture over the top and stir to combine.

pour 1/4 cup cake batter into each muffin cup.  lightly set (do not press down!) one hershey kiss in the middle of each cupcake.

bake for 20 minutes.

ganache directions

chop chocolate and put in bowl.  set aside.

heat cream and corn syrup over medium heat.  make sure it’s nice and hot but not scorched!

add vanilla to cream mixture, then pour over the top of the chopped chocolate.  whisk together until melted, smooth, and glossy.

dunk cupcakes in ganache.  allow to cool and set before serving.