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I have been away from my blog and twitter for what seems like forever, but in reality, it’s only been a little over a week. A rough week, a sad week…keeping a long story short, our two and a half year old Maltese pup, Lola passed away unexpectedly last Monday.
Lola was a happy, loving, loyal pet and the best buddy to our male Morkie, Henry. We are all having a difficult time dealing with our loss and miss Lola dearly. It is truly amazing to me the bond that us humans can have with our four-legged babies, but it’s a bond I will never be without. In my opinion, pets can be one of the most pure forms of unconditional love you can ever experience and we were blessed to have Lola in our lives.
Needless to say, I wasn’t really into baking or cooking the last week, but I did manage to make some cupcakes. After they baked, I was contemplating how to frost them and decided to make them white and fluffy looking…just like Lola. This may seem a tad bit odd, but at the time, it offered me a bit of comfort, so I went with it! I topped them with traditional cream cheese frosting then tossed on some shredded coconut. These last minute Lola inspired cupcakes, turned out to be quite a tasty combination. Thanks so much for stopping by, have a fabulous day and if ya have a pet, be sure to give them some extra lovin today!
Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1-2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups water
For the Frosting
2 (8) ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
For the Cupcakes
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl; beat on high speed of mixer 3 minutes. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture, beating until blended. Add candy, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
(If making cupcakes, divide the batter into cupcake pans lined with paper liners and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Batter will yield approximately 24 cupcakes.)
For the Frosting
Using a mixer, blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Spread cream between layers and on top of cake. Top with shredded coconut if desired.
Notes:
The dark brown cupcake liners are from bakeitpretty.com
adapted from hersheys.com
All images and text ©Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
[pinit]
Oh, I’m so sorry! Hang in there.
My heart breaks for you and the loss of Lola! We’ve had a Maltese in our family always (it’s just not ‘home’ w/out one) so I know the special bond with that beautiful breed!
I think your cupcakes, not only sound delicious, but are an awesome tribute to your pet!
So sorry to hear about your dog. Those cupcakes look beautiful and I can’t wait to try them out.
Sorry to hear about the loss of Lola. I don’t know what I’d do without my puppy :(
Beautiful tribute.
I’m sorry for your loss and I’m going to go give Murray Dog a big hug and love right now.
I was just thinking today how grateful I am for my 14-year-old cat, who is often cranky, but still loves a good cuddle. She has a chronic condition, so it’s one day at a time for us.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Now you’ll think of Lola everytime you sprinkle a little coconut on a dessert. How sweet.
Sorry to hear of your loss !! I can’t imagine. Keeping you in my thoughts!
can’t wait to try these, but the recipe indicates 9″ round pans – do you know how many cupcakes it makes (so what size cupcake pan I need) and do cupcakes bake for less time? Thanks…and condolences!
Jamie, Lola cupcakes look divine & Lola is so adorable! :)
I am really sorry for your loss. I love this tribute to Lola.
Oh no. I am so sorry to hear. No loves as unconditionally as a pet, especially dogs. I will make sure to give my some extra lovin today in memory of Lola. These cupcakes are an awesome tribute. They look just perfect.