Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes

My baby is two! I can’t believe it. And I know that’s something everyone says, but really, my youngest is tiny. She’s very small for her age and always has been, so I am a little shocked every time I realize how old she’s getting.

Despite her smallness, my daughter can really eat. Every day when I get home from work, she looks at me and says, full of hope, “Want chocolate.” And you know what? I give it to her. Because I totally understand her, and because she’s cute. And because she’ll throw a mean tantrum if I don’t. That’s good parenting in action, people.

So for her birthday, I took one of my favorite chocolate cake recipes and made cupcakes out of it. Minnie Mouse cupcakes, to be exact. Because the only thing my daughter loves as much as chocolate is Minnie Mouse! And who can blame her?

While some may call this recipe a cheat because it uses a cake mix, it’s pretty well doctored. With the sour cream and pudding mix, it’s practically a scratch cake. And it sure tastes better than most fancy-schmancy chocolate cakes I’ve eaten in overpriced restaurants. It’s dense, moist, and oh so chocolatey. I wouldn’t want it any other way!

This cake base is my go-to for birthdays. It also makes amazing cake pops. But that’s another recipe for another day!

I wanted to make these super girly, so I went crazy with the sprinkles and edible spray paint. Nothing but the best for my baby! Mind you, I think she just wanted to sink her teeth into these. I’m not sure the decorations were really a factor. That didn’t stop me from buying and assembling this adorable cake stand.

There’s no better way to bring in a little one’s birthday, and any kid will make a beeline for these with her mouth hanging open. I used vanilla frosting, but you can always use the flavor of your choice. I didn’t include a frosting recipe this time because frosting is a very personal taste, especially for a birthday. Some people like lighter frostings. I’m a big fan of the heavy, sugary, Crisco-y bakery frostings. It really depends. But you always want to use people’s favorite frosting for their birthdays!

So go crazy with your cupcakes! And to my little one: happy birthday, sweetie!

Ingredients:

• 1 box devil’s food cake mix
• 1 box chocolate pudding mix (5 oz.)
• 1 cup sour cream (you can use light)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• frosting of your choice

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Line two muffin tins (each holding 12 muffins) with festive liners.

In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except the chocolate chips until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes until firm (see note below), but do not overbake or they will become dry. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.

Using a decorating tip (I used a star tip), pipe the frosting generously on each cupcake and then use sprinkles or whatever else you like to enhance the top. I’m a big fan of edible airbrushing!

Note: If you are baking this recipe as a cake rather than as cupcakes, increase the baking time to about 30 minutes.