There's been a resurgence of cupcake love lately. (Or perhaps I'm slow on the times?) There are bakeries that specialize in cupcakes (none here - phooey), websites devoted to these wee lil' cakes, and folks clamoring for a cake of their own. Even the NY Times. (It's worth it to watch, listen, and salivate.) And I just went with the flow.

On this day of commercialism, I put a little bit of homemade sweetness back into the holiday. A recent discussion between gal-pals, and I decided to bake from-scratch, chocolate cupcakes. I found the recipe in The best of better baking cookbook and now have a great, new site to reference, ta' boot.

I made mini 'Cola Cupcakes' with 'Master Brownie Frosting' from the book. But to add my own spin, I took the traditional Valentine box-of-chocolates idea and filled some with tasty morsels. Carmel, cherries, and cream - yum! I wanted to frost the mini-cakes in a similar manner, but that just didn't work out. So they weren't the purtiest, but they are tasty indeed.

I believe I like baking cupcakes. I believe that I will shower my friends with 'cakes on many occasions. Watch out - I may have a cupcake for you!

Cola Cupcakes
from the best of betterbaking.com

• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 c. sugar
• 3.4 c. unsweetended cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 1 c. flat cola
• 1 c. warm brewed coffee (or buttermilk)

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
3. Whisk in the wet ingredients (vanilla through coffee) until smooth. This is a thin batter.
4. Pour into the prepared pan(s), filling them 3/4 full. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes (10 minutes, if mini cupcakes), or until the cupcakes are slightly puffed in the center and spring back when gently touched.
5. Cool in the pan for 10 - 15 mintues, then unmold onto wire racks and let them cool completely before frosting.

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