The Twelve Cakes of Christmas - (#10) Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

The last in the series of 3 cupcakes Jessica made for her coworkers. Jessica made faux-hot chocolate cupcakes. The cakes were from a flourless recipe simply called "chocolate intensity." The cake batter was cooked in the mugs they were to be served in. A water bath provided even heating of the mugs to prevent cracking.

To be true to form, marshmallows had to be added on top...

...and lightly toasted to make them nice and gooey.

A final candy cane was added for full effect.

These (along with 2 other cupcakes) made a great gift, which were very well received. Comments were that the cake was very rich -- appropriate as a "hot chocolate."

The Twelve Cakes of Christmas - (#9) Holly Cupcakes

This year, Jessica decided to give her coworkers a set of 3 cupcakes. Yesterday's post ("mini cakes") was one of them. With the next cake, she decided to go with a new recipe: red velvet cupcakes.

The cake is a fairly standard red velvet, but without the obscene amount of red dye that most recipes call for.

The red velvet cupcakes were classically combined with cream cheese frosting. Holly berries made out of fondant provided the topper.

The fondant was pressed into a silicone mold to give a true, leafy texture.

As I sit here writing this, I'm having one right now. And I can say they are delicious! (...love that cream cheese frosting...)