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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]
Jamie,
I read your blog every week, but have never posted a comment until now. I’d been wondering where you’ve been, and now I can see you’ve been through what I can only imagine as true heartbreak. I have two little loves myself, and I can’t imagine ever being without them. Lola – all white and fluffy- looks like she belongs up in the clouds where I’m sure she’s looking down on you and sending you big sloppy licks and lots and lots of love.
Miles and miles away, I’m thinking about you and hope you get through this. One thing’s for sure – I’ll be trying out your cupcakes very soon:)
I’m sorry for your loss! You cupcakes look lovely, as does that photo of your Lola. :)
For only two and a half years? Isn’t that too short for some puppy lovin? >: I understand the loss.. My two siamese cats were gone, both catnapped. It was worse than them passing away.. T_T
so sorry for your loss…it is a very difficult time…our dear, beloved shetland sheepdog passed away unexpectedly & the loss was unbearable…
cherish the wonderful memories of your sweet lola…
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your cute little doggie. I know I would just be a mess if our pet died – *hugs*
really sorry to hear about Lola
I am so sorry to hear about Lola – losing a pet is just terrible. My condolences.
I can’t imagine such a sudden loss. I’m sorry for what happened. Two and a half years just isn’t enough time…..
These look SOOOO yummy!
http://cuppycakebakes.blogspot.com
Queenie-
I have been reading your blog this morning with tears in my eyes. You to have found such a great support system with these wonderful bloggers. Thank you for loving little Lola!
-momma