2011 May — A Southern Fairytale

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A very good friend had a birthday this past Thursday and when I asked her what she wanted – she said; “Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting”
This kind of stumped me because before then, I had never made Chocolate Frosting.

I’m not a frosting person by nature, unless you count Texas Sheet Cake or Coconut Pecan Frosting because those, I can and have eaten by the giant spoonful.

However, since she’s a good friend and I love a challenge I scoured Granny’s recipes, a couple of cookbooks and ze internets – whipped out my KitchenAid and got to work

I sifted together powdered sugar, cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in one bowl.

In my mixer, I whipped butter until it was fluffy and pale gold and then I alternately added vanilla, evaporated milk and the cocoa/sugar mixture until it was all fully incorporated. I scraped the sides of the bowl frequently and kept whipping it until it reached the consistency that I wanted for piping; spooned the chocolate frosting of awesomeness into my piping bag (after the 4 yo, the 7 you and I all taste tested it, of course.)

and I frosted 22 cupcakes for a 32 year old, friend.

I have to tell y’all — I’m not really a chocolate frosting person but this — this chocolate frosting with the subtle undertones of cinnamon and the creamy richness from the evaporated milk and real cocoa – ZOMG!!!!

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: Delicious Chocolate Frosting

3/4 C unsweetened Cocoa Powder (dark cocoa would be amazing, too)
5 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 C butter
3 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C and 2 Tbsp evaporated milk

Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa and cinnamon in a large bowl and set aside
In your mixing bowl, whip butter until it’s fluffy, creamy and a beautiful pale gold color
Alternate adding the evaporated milk, vanilla and sugar/cocoa mixture scraping the sides and bottom of your bowl frequently and whipping until it’s your desired consistency. If necessary, add more powdered sugar or less milk

This was enough for all 22 of my cupcakes plus a good bit for tasting purposes This would be enough to frost and fill a two layer cake

Use 1/2 unsweetened and 1/2 dark cocoa powder or all dark cocoa powder for a really deep dark chocolate frosting. Dark chocolate shavings on top of these cupcakes would take these to a whole new level of deliciousness

Meal type: dessert

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Thanks for linking up your deliciousness every week! I love seeing what y’all are feeding your families!
Leave your link, leave a comment, link back and visit others! Happy Mouthwatering Monday, y’all!

Here are a few of my favorites from last week’s linky:

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Slip and Slides

Sprinklers

Barbecue Pits

Mosquito Spray

Friends

Laughter

Food

Longer Days

All some of my favorite things about summer.

We spend a lot of time around our Barbecue Pits during the summer. (yes, pits — what? You don’t have 3 barbecue pits in your backyard?)

Backyard summer memories are some of my favorites from my childhood — splashing in the pool, running through the sprinkler, chasing fireflies at dusk all with the smell of charcoal and grilled foods wafting through the air and the sounds of squeals, laughter and amused adults echoing through the nights.

Now, it’s my turn to give my kids those same memories while making more of my own.

During the summer we try gather in our backyard around our barbecue pits at least once a week.

Since grilling is one of my favorite past times, I am excited to announce that I’ve partnered with Bush’s Beans to host a Grillin’ Party at my house and share their Grillin’ Beans with friends and family.

I’m expecting a package from them today – with 3 flavors to taste and then choose my favorite to serve alongside the Chops and Chicken that we’re going to be grillin’.

Because the people at Bush’s Beans are so generous and love to promote Family time, they’re offering one of my readers a chance to win the same Bush’s Beans Grillin’ package that I’m getting.

So stay tuned — I’ll be sharing my party menu with y’all soon and telling y’all more about how you can enter to win the goodies!

I am being compensated by Bush’s Beans for hosting this party and for writing about it. My thoughts, pictures and opinions are as always, all mine and 100% true.