Cake Batter Chocolate Bark

Bark is one of those pretty, easy things that I always seem to forget about.  But, once again, whilst stumbling, I came across this.

I instantly knew I had to make it.

So I did.

Just a few ingredients!

12 oz white chocolate
10 oz dark chocolate
3 T. yellow cake mix
Sprinkles.

Start off by melting the dark chocolate in a double boiler.  A double boiler is one of these kitchen tools that you don't necessarily need to buy.  If you have a glass bowl, or even a small pan that will fit in a larger pan, you're good to go.  Just make sure that the bottom of the small bowl, pan, or double boiler, doesn't touch the water in the bottom pan.

Once it has melted, pour it on a sheet that's been covered with parchment paper, and spread it.

Stick it in the freezer for about 20 minutes, and wash out whatever you happen to be using to melt chocolate in.  Put your white chocolate in it and melt that.

Once it's melted, add the cake mix and mix it until it's smooth, and there aren't any lumps. 

Let it cook for about three minutes, until its nice and thick.  Then take the dark chocolate out of the freezer, and pour the white chocolate on top, and spread it out. 

Top it with sprinkles, your choice :)

Pop it back into the freezer for another 20 minutes, then break it up and enjoy!

Cheers!

Love,
Liz

White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

Alright, I’m warning everyone right here, right now. Liz and I…are addicted to Cupcake Wars. And as a result, we are constantly texting each other about new cupcake ideas. Soooo….if you see a few hundred cupcake recipes in this blog, you now know why.

I’ve been thinking about making these particular cupcakes for about a week now and finally decided to give them a whirl. It took a lot of going back and forth and asking other people what they thought. I don’t usually bake so this is all new to me. I’m shocked that I even want to try.

But these cupcakes are by far the best one’s I’ve ever made. I really hope you all like them.

The music: A lil’ bit of Dave Matthews Band, thank you very much.
The drink: Some yummy blackberry wine. Yeah, I drank while making these. I was childless! Don’t judge me! Stop it, right now!!

I decided to try and find a different cupcake recipe considering mine keep coming out quite dense. So after some searching, I found this one:

2c. flour
½ t. salt
2 t. baking powder
½ c. butter, softened
¾ c. sugar
2 eggs
1c. milk
1 t. vanilla extract

Allow me to give credit where credit is due: Simple Vanilla Cupcakes
Follow the instructions, right down to the 20 minutes. This recipe says it makes 20-25 cupcakes. I got 12. Who knows?

Now, I added about 3 tablespoons of melted white chocolate to the batter on a whim. I’m not exactly sure if it made a difference, but hey, why not?

Cool on a wire rack, then dig out little holes in the center of the cupcake.

Filling:
1 pint of fresh raspberries
¼ c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 container of mascarpone cheese, softened

Wash raspberries and put them into a pot with sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, smushing the raspberries a little until they form a yummy raspberry liquid. Add the vanilla then remove from heat. In a separate bowl mix together the mascarpone and raspberry liquid. Stick it in the fridge until you’re ready to fill the cupcakes. (which I forgot to take a picture of)

Frosting:
½ c. butter
1-8oz. package of cream cheese; softened
2 ½ c. confectioners sugar
1t. vanilla extract
¾ c. melted white chocolate

In a mixer, cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add vanilla and mix. Slowly add the sugar, little bits at a time until it’s sweet enough for you.

Make your own double boiler by filling a pot about half way and set a bowl over it (the bowl should not touch the water). Turn on the heat, bringing the water to a boil. The steam from the water will melt the chocolate. Do this slowly otherwise the chocolate will burn. Once it’s melted, add to the frosting.

Put the filling into a pastry bag (if you’ve got one) and fill up the holes you made in the cupcakes. Then do them up with some frosting. Top with a little bit of sugar to make it sparkle and one raspberry.

Aren't they pretty?!?!

Love,

Sarah