Lemon-Lime Chocolate Pistachios

When I said I'd make it up to you, I bet you didn't think it'd be so fast. ;)


As I was reading through my friends' blogs on FoodBuzz, I discovered a link to a monthly cupcake challenge! The Sweetest Kitchen hosts a monthly Mystery Box Cupcake Challenge and February's ingredient is chocolate cake. I found Jamieanne's challenge just in time to create a cupcake, but not enter it into the competition. But I'll share anyway. :)


Chocolate Pistachios 


Honestly, I'm blanking on what (or rather, how much of the stuff) I put into these cupcakes. :) These cupcakes are definitely my own creation, and are probably something I'll continue to tweak until I get it juuuuuuuuuuuust right.








Here is my partner-in-crime in the kitchen.

Here is what Kyleigh is working on in the above picture. Into the mixing bowl went all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Into the bowl for the stand mixer went butter, granulated sugar, and 2 large eggs.

I added the flour mixture alternately with buttermilk; begin and end with the flour mixture. Mmmm, don't you want to just dive right in? Forget baking, just hand me a spoon!

I've had these Reynold's Foil Cups sitting in my baking cupboard waiting for just the right filling. I decided this is it. So here is the batter in the muffin pan in the oven.

After baking at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, here they are! Ready and waiting to be frosted.

While the cupcakes were cooling, I had a dilemma. What should top these chocolate cakes? I had a few ideas in mind, but I couldn't decide on which one. So I tried calling my list of sounding-board people but to no avail. I was left to my own devices.
I actually didn't go with any of my awesome ideas. :) I went in a different direction entirely because I didn't have everything I needed for any one of my crazy concoctions. While I was looking in my pantry for inspiration, I found it! Pistachio pudding mix! The hubs like pistachio so I guess you could say I did this for him. I started with a buttercream icing base, added the pudding mix, and made the needed adjustments.

After tasting, I just wasn't happy with it. I added 2 1/2 Tbsp of lime juice as well as 1/4 tsp lemon extract. That sealed the deal!

It was time to ice the cupcakes. Don't they look cute? :)