Dessert of the Week-- Java Jive cupcakes

    Have you ever realized just how much Amazon.com sells? I mean, wow. I recently discovered the array of baking cups offered. My 'wish list' looks like I went spastic and just started clicking. I did start out with a specific need in mind--mini cups for the Baby Cakes for my sister-in-law's baby shower next month. I was super happy to find those, but then I had to narrow down my gigaginormous list to just a couple fun "anytime" liners. The first set I decided on was Cupcake Heaven by Wilton and the second was Dancing Daisy Flowers, also by Wilton. Then to go with the Baby Feet Minis baking cups, I ordered Bubble Strips Minis. I'm super excited! The Cupcake Heaven baking liners came on Thursday--I love getting packages in the mail. :) 


    Today I couldn't wait to get in the kitchen! Kyleigh didn't get to school today since she has a cold. You know Kyleigh isn't feeling good when she says she needs to stay home from school--while that may be characteristic of any kid (faking sick to stay home) Kyleigh is the complete opposite and NEVER wants to miss school for anything! So anyway, both girls went down for an early nap and it was playtime for Mama in the kitchen! :)
    
    I re-discovered some chocolate covered espresso beans I had yet to use....or eat, for that matter. :) I was thinking of espresso beans and talking out-loud about ideas. Then the combination became clear. I wanted to do a chocolate coffee cake, topped with coffee liqueur frosting, drizzled with some homemade salted caramel sauce (I made that Wednesday or Thursday), sprinkled with some crushed up chocolate covered espresso beans, and then finally topped with one whole covered bean. 


    Readers, meet Java Jive.

Alright, now that you've seen what I ended up with, let's hit rewind so I can tell you how I got there.


I found some dark chocolate covered espresso beans lurking in my house and some coffee liqueur in my kitchen. Coffee + coffee = good match. 

    First, I whisked together flour, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, and Himalayan pink salt.


    Then it was time for the "wet" ingredients. Into the bowl of my stand mixer went some eggs and granulated sugar. While this was being whisked together, in a liquid measuring cup, I combined cooled brewed coffee, heavy cream, and cooking oil. After the eggs and sugar were well combined, I added the coffee mixture.

    Once everything was combined nicely (the above picture), I added in the flour mixture and a little vanilla extract and whisked until combined (pictured below).

    I lined the muffin pan with my new fun cupcake baking cups and popped it into the preheated oven. 

    I was psyched when they came out looking so perfectly delicious!

    And so moist and spongy!

    Now to go about the frosting. I knew what I wanted to end up with, I just wasn't initially sure how to get there. So, I dove right in and never looked back. :)


    Into the bowl of my stand mixer went some more heavy cream, the coffee liqueur, more vanilla extract, some confectioners' sugar, and a little cream of tartar. I whisked that until I got to a consistency I was happy with.

    After testing the quality of the product ( ; and I was completely sure it was worthy of the scrumptious cakes, I iced the little cuties--the cupcakes. 


    Remember I said I made Salted Caramel Sauce earlier this week? That sinfully awful yet undeniably sweet and salty goodness got drizzled on top of my newest creation. 

     Then I crushed up a handful of dark chocolate covered espresso beans and sprinkled the pieces overtop of the cupcakes. Then I topped that off with a whole covered bean. 


    Coffee deliciousness wrapped up in a cute Cupcake wrapper.

    I had so much fun setting up the picture for the cupcake that I might have gotten a little carried away with taking pictures. :) 

 Java Jive Cupcakes
makes about 19 cupcakes


1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt
2/3 c. brewed coffee, cooled
1/4 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. cooking oil
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c. granulated sugar

In this last picture, there is a bird in the background. As I was taking this shot, a robin was walking around under the bushes and got in the shot. :)