Minecraft Cake

My friend loves the AWESOME game Minecraft; so I made him a cake for his birthday.

First bake the cake/cupcakes:

 

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water

Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 12 muffin tin cups with paper cupcake liners or spray cake pans.

Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl or the top of a double boiler and place it over, but not touching, a saucepan of barely simmering water or the bottom of the double boiler. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the water and set aside to cool slightly.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until blended, about 2 minutes. On low speed, mix in the melted chocolate. On medium speed, add eggs one at a time, mixing until each is blended. Add vanilla and beat about 1 minute. Mix in the sour cream until no white streaks remain. On low speed, add half of the flour mixture, mixing to incorporate it. Mix in the water. Mix in the remaining flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter looks smooth.
(Thank you The Cupcake Deck by Elinor Klivans for this crowd pleasing  recipe)

The cake was very simple to make. Stack and fill three SQUARE cakes. (There are no circles or curved lines in Minecraft, cupcake are... okay.) Then, crumb coat the cake an refrigerate for a few hours to let the frosting harden. Color and roll a strip of brown fondant out and cover the sides in it. Next, roll out a perfect white square and cut out little squares around the edges. Place the white square on top and glue the sides with water. Lastly, cut out various red squares of fondant and place on the top of the cake. Voila! It is fairly easy in our world but, in Minecraft it is a square of cake!

A needed more servings so I made a dozen cupcakes as well as cut out red squares on the top to replica the big cake.

Have a Cake-tastic and Mine-crafty week!

January: Cupcake of the Month

Coconut Cherry Cupcakes

Makes 12 Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 stick of softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons milk
2 eggs
5/8 cup self-rising white flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3  cup dry unsweetened coconut
4 ounces candied cherries, quartered
12 whole maraschino to decorate

Whipped Cream Ingredients:
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla or any other extract (I love to use almond for a nutty flavor)

Cupcake Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your muffin tin with 12 baking liners. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in milk. Gradually add the eggs, beat until well mixed.
Sift flour and baking powder and fold in coconut and cherries.
Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Transfer to a wire and let cool.

Whipped Cream Directions:
Mix all three ingredients together using an electric mixer until cream comes to a peak. Refrigerate or serve immediately on top the cupcake.

** I couldn't find candied cherries so I used canned, pitted cherries and quartered them by hand. You also don't have to top with maraschino but, toast some sweetened coconut and sprinkle on top the whipped cream.**

This was a great way to start the year!