Chocolate-Coconut Cupcakes + Cream-Cheese Frosting

Chocolate-Coconut Cupcakes + Cream-Cheese Frosting

Jan 29, 2014

I'm obsessed with chocolate - but not necessarily the overly sweet milky kind...I like a darker, more bittersweet chocolate (browny points if it has hazelnut). Anyways, the other day I made a batch of some of the most amazing cupcakes ever... It's my favorite chocolate cake recipe - moist, soft, full of flavor... It's the kind of recipe that keeps you licking the bowl and eating the baked goods by the dozen! Topped off with delicious cream-cheese frosting and bits of sweet coconut -- it's quite a treat, and such a keeper. I will definitely be making them again soon :). Enjoy xx

Ingredients

Cake - 

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, baking powder, and salt (each)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp orange blossom water
• 1 cup boiling water

 Frosting - 

• 8oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
• 4 1/2 - 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp orange blossom water
• 1 cup + coconut flakes (sweetened) 

Preheat oven to 350F and place cupcake cups in 2 12-cupcake trays. Sift all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda/powder, salt) in a large mixing bowl. Stir in eggs and then add milk, vegetable oil, and orange blossom water. Next, stir in boiling water. Then, taste the batter just incase ;). Add about 1/4 cups of batter to each cupcake cup. bake for 20-25 minutes. let the cupcakes cool. 

To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until combined and fluffy. Next, add the orange blossom water and slowly add the powdered sugar. Place the frosting in a plastic bag, cut a small piece of the corner, and pipe onto cupcakes. Spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes and roll the cupcakes into the coconut flakes. 

Enjoy! Omnomnom 

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On Again Off Again

On Again Off Again

Jan 23, 2014

Oopsie...

It's been pretty hard to go out and shoot in all this cold weather (it is freezing here in Toronto, my friends), but alas, here was a warmer day where it was acceptable to stop for a minute and snap a few photos. The weeks have been interesting.. I'm not quite ready for the term yet, still feel like I need a bit of a vacation, but alas, we all must make it work!

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To challenge the bitter chill, I've been doing a ton of layering. I'm actually wearing two pairs of tights and socks under those jeans hehe... As for this darling sweater, my lovely sister gifted it me! She got it while she was studying in China. It's so warm, so cute, and so fun! I'm absolutely in love <3. 

I don't have too much else to say~ I'll post more soon, I promise! All about an exciting ski trip planned for this Febuary and other little things planned for the weeks to come. xoxo

{Captured by Rob - wearing: NY&co Shirt, Gifted Sweater, NY&C coat, Aldo bag, Michael Kors watch, Gifted ring and bracelet, Firmoo c/o glasses, Persunmall c/o earrings, Zara boots}

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Lost in My Mind

Lost in My Mind

Jan 11, 2014

 On Moving Forward...
This is a strange post to write. I've kind of left it off for a while (hence the lack of posts...) but alas, here goes. I'll start by wishing you all a most joyous 2014, I hope the first couple of days have been treating you well :). Life has been strange these past couple of months, especially in the last couple of weeks, and the crummy weather isn't helping one bit.
I'm in the middle of that whole - 'where on earth is my life going?' rut and it's really bringing me down. I've been feeling physically ill, practicing flute (the one thing that usually brings up my mood) now makes me sadder, and school is just so emotionally draining right now (break was only 2 weeks long), plus many, many other things are going on right now.
It's funny how easy it is to write my heart out on this blog, when most of my friends don't even know I've been feeling blue. I can't help but wonder if I made the right choice coming to this University, or where I will be in the next five years or even next semester as I may transfer. I've found myself taking more photos and writing more short stories. Then my dear friend pointed out that they are are all extremely dark and gloomy. It's scary because art really reflects the individual oftentimes and I'm usually so high spirited. Am I turning all negative all of a sudden?
I'm still figuring it out, and contacted an old friend/teacher back home. I truly value her amazing advice. She told me that no matter how big a problem seems, it's not as bad as it looks. And really you must stand up and fight for what you love and want to do, because who else will?  Take a break from life, you have time, heal your soul, move on. It'll all be okay. After all - "There are stars up above." Just remember that.
Much love. xx

Currently Listening to - Lost in my Mind - The Head and the Heart

{Captured by Rob - wearing; the Limited shirt, HM Shorts, Zara boots, RL socks, NY&co Coat, Chanel watch, gifted bracelet, ring, and Scarf from Morocco}

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