It’s pretty common knowledge that the combination of cake, Baltimore and reality television is a recipe for the long running Food Network show Ace of Cakes (combine well, bake at 350°F for 30 min). But, for tonight at least, there’s a new player in the mix—the family-owned dessert bakery Kupcakes & Co. in Elkridge will make their debut on the Cooking Channel’s freshman show Cake Hunters. The bakery’s owners, Michelle and Bill Kupiec, and their staff will face off against two other bakeries in the region to compete to design and create a client’s perfect celebratory cake. Don’t miss this sweet treat! You can tune in tonight at 10 to see what they cook up. Before you do, there’s time to whip up your own cupcakes to enjoy—here’s our favorite recipe for perfect, chocolaty cupcakes.
Chocolate Cupcakes (adapted from Maida Heatter’s Book of Great Chocolate Desserts)
1 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
51/3 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. almond extract
¾ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
¾ cups whole milk
Preheat over to 350 degrees and butter or line a 12-cup cupcake pan. If using butter, sift a little flour to coat each cup and shake out excess.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter. Add vanilla and almond extract, sugar and the egg, beating to mix each time. Once the mixture is smooth, add dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk. Beat only until combined.
Fill prepared pans two-thirds to three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. Do not overbake. Cool the bakes in pans for about 3 minutes, then invert onto a rack and turn right side up to cool.
UPDATE: Kupcakes and Co. WON the competition!
