Death by Chocolate
So I bought some Sprinkles brand chocolate peppermint cupcake mix from Williams-Sonoma ages ago, and my brother has been dying since April to make them. Now that my AP exams are over and I really had nothing better to do (that I could remember anyway), yesterday I gave in and delved into the process.
Well, let's just say it turned out a little more complicated than we thought.
I hate it when recipes assume I have a model kitchen from Ikea or something, outfitted with an infinite number of stainless steel, task-specific appliances. Admittedly, it only called for an electric mixer, but still, from a family that's not big on baking, it's not a necessary possession.
But anyway, the point is, we had to beat the butter until it was light and fluffy, which, as we discovered, is near impossible without an electric mixer. So my brother and I, being the inventive people we are, decided to improvise by hooking up a wooden spoon to a power drill.
Well it worked, just so you know. It splattered a bit but only a little and nothing crazy. In fact, it ended up being a really good idea... rather crazy, but quite effective.
The mess itself, however, became evident at the end when we found ourselves with a sink filled with bowls, pans, spoons, measuring cups, and cupcake tins/holders. The process also took four hours, at the end of which I had a head-splitting headache.
While they turned out well, my brother wonders in the end whether they were worth it.
All I know is that I just made artery-clogging, heart-stopping chocolate balls of doom. With nearly 3 sticks of butter, 2.5 cups of sugar, and other things (in addition to whatever is already in the included mixes), the chocolate peppermint cupcakes with [Godiva, by the way] chocolate frosting and crushed peppermint on top is definitely something to be eaten sparingly (lest I turn morbidly obese within a small period of time).
In other news, my AP Bio class (along with the Anatomy and Physiology class) visited the Bodies Exhibit today. It was exciting, depressing, revolting and intriguing at the same time, and had I been permitted to take pictures I would share them with you (but after seeing the exhibit, I can understand their desires to respect the dead). Anyway, it's pretty fascinating so it's a nice way to spend a day (unless the thought of the dead freaks you out of course). I also ate at the Brewery on the corner, which had pretty good food and was reasonably priced in case you're interested.
Well, let's just say it turned out a little more complicated than we thought.
I hate it when recipes assume I have a model kitchen from Ikea or something, outfitted with an infinite number of stainless steel, task-specific appliances. Admittedly, it only called for an electric mixer, but still, from a family that's not big on baking, it's not a necessary possession.
But anyway, the point is, we had to beat the butter until it was light and fluffy, which, as we discovered, is near impossible without an electric mixer. So my brother and I, being the inventive people we are, decided to improvise by hooking up a wooden spoon to a power drill.
Well it worked, just so you know. It splattered a bit but only a little and nothing crazy. In fact, it ended up being a really good idea... rather crazy, but quite effective.
The mess itself, however, became evident at the end when we found ourselves with a sink filled with bowls, pans, spoons, measuring cups, and cupcake tins/holders. The process also took four hours, at the end of which I had a head-splitting headache.
While they turned out well, my brother wonders in the end whether they were worth it.
All I know is that I just made artery-clogging, heart-stopping chocolate balls of doom. With nearly 3 sticks of butter, 2.5 cups of sugar, and other things (in addition to whatever is already in the included mixes), the chocolate peppermint cupcakes with [Godiva, by the way] chocolate frosting and crushed peppermint on top is definitely something to be eaten sparingly (lest I turn morbidly obese within a small period of time).
In other news, my AP Bio class (along with the Anatomy and Physiology class) visited the Bodies Exhibit today. It was exciting, depressing, revolting and intriguing at the same time, and had I been permitted to take pictures I would share them with you (but after seeing the exhibit, I can understand their desires to respect the dead). Anyway, it's pretty fascinating so it's a nice way to spend a day (unless the thought of the dead freaks you out of course). I also ate at the Brewery on the corner, which had pretty good food and was reasonably priced in case you're interested.
prism:
sunshine (daily rants)
1 comment:
I trust you two did not eat them all yourselves. That would be 1.5 sticks of butter consumed. Or about the equivalent number of arteries, as you alluded.
But mmm, arteries. I mean chocolate.
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