The Story:
There are about 10 copies of my cookbook floating around out there. I had one in my hands only for 48 hours and then I had to give it back. My publishers sent advanced copies to media outlets to get things like interviews and TV appearances rolling. So I have been called up and answering a lot of different questions from reporters. But what is the ONE question each newspaper and TV program and blogger want to know the answer to?
“Lizzy, are you single?”
I don’t know if it’s Valentine’s coming up or just a Utah thing, but they always ask it.
“So what? I’m single.”
Okay, so I don’t answer with that much sass. But still! I’m only 22 (soon to be 23) and it’s okay to still be single. I’m having fun, graduating college, building a business, who has time for boys? Well, I know my mother is hoping I would have time for boys, but that’s just because she wants grandkids to spoil.
To all my single ladies out there, these cupcakes are the perfect cupcake for you this Valentine’s. Chocolate cake, a sweet mascarpone cheese filling flavored with a little hazelnut, and topped with a chocolate malt cream cheese buttercream and chocolate shavings.
“So What? I’m Single.” Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box Devil's of Chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 C. oil
- 3/4 C. buttermilk or milk
- 1/2 C. sour cream or plain yogurt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Mascarpone Filling:
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
- 1/3 C. powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. hazelnut creamer powder (optional)
Chocolate Malt Buttercream:
- 1/2 C. butter softened
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 2 Tbsp. malted milk powder regular or chocolate
- 1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. milk
- 3-4 C. powdered sugar
Chocolate Shavings for decoration
Instructions
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pan with cupcake liners.
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2. Sift cake mix into a small bowl and set aside.
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3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, buttermilk, sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.
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4. Stir in cake mix.
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5. Fill liners 3/4 full and bake for 17-22 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
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6. Filling: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl using a spoon. Taste and add more sugar if you want it sweeter.
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7. Buttercream: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add malted milk powder and cocoa and beat again. Add vanilla, milk and slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add more milk.
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8. To assemble: Use a knife to cut a triangle out of the top of each cooled cupcake. Fill will a spoonful of filling, discard "triangle" and pipe buttercream over filling. Immediately top with chocolate shavings. (See photo below)
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9. Enjoy being single!
The beautiful grease proof liners and from Sweets & Treats
Note: Mascarpone is an italian cheese and can be found in the specialty cheese section of a grocery store. Don’t be afraid! This stuff is SO good.
Lisa says
These look awesome! Can’t wait to try em! And thank you for proudly posting a ‘proud to be single’ post. There’s nothing wrong with being young, single and successful!
Melissa says
Oh geez, I think I just died a little! These look so amazing that I think I’ll will be making them and to take to a Valentine’s single girls cocktail night I’m attending. They should go well with a chocolate martini, right? Thanks so much for the recipe!
-Melissa
http://storiented.blogspot.com/
Kasey Holbrook says
Woah now, if this cupcake is for the single ladies, which one is going to be for the single guy? These look amazing with the filling. I have only tried your favorite chocolate cupcake so far but excited for the next. Lot easier being single while still in college
Mary Juckett says
Cannot wait to get my hands on your new cookbook……I will be first in line when its released….!
Sandy says
I’m not single but this recipe makes me want to be single so I can enjoy its full effect… I can’t wait to try very soon!!
Lindsey (Lou Lou Biscuit) says
Wow wow yum! These look so amazing! There is seriously nothing better than chocolate and hazelnut. I’m not single, but I might just have to make myself a secret batch of these cupcakes!
Leigh Ann says
Oh my gosh! Stay single as long as you can! I can’t believe you’ve accomplished so much at 22! Good for you!
Linda says
Be proud to be single, independent and oh so successful! You’re doing great and enjoy it as long as you can!!!!! Every recipe looks awesome. Can’t wait to try this one! Love your site.
Angie says
love it!!!!!!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
All the single ladies, all the single ladies. Now put your cupcakes up! (That sounded so much better in my head lol)
Lizzy Mae Early says
YESSS! I love it
Mai-Britt says
Young, beautiful and single when you are only 22 is great!! Enjoy life! Never mind nosey people 😉
Love your cupcakes!
Tammy says
Trust me…you will find “Mr Right” it took me until I was 24, but I would have gladly waited until I was 40 knowing I would get the guy I have.
P.S. I tried to confirm the link for your cute little valentines cookbook via e-mail, but it didn’t work. Is there a way to send it again?
P.S.S. Can’t wait for your cookbook to come out..already planning to buy for my sisters and sis-in-laws and friends.
Thanks Lizzy
Jessie Mae says
Oh my goodness these look so good! And I love that its from a box mix. So much easier. I do have 2 questions. #1 hazelnut creamer- Are you referring to powder coffee creamer? #2 malted milk powder- I’ve never heard of this. What is it and where do you find it?
Lizzy Mae Early says
#1 Yes the powdered coffee stuff 🙂 #2 and the malted milk powder can sometimes be tricky to find. Carnation makes it though, so it should be in every town, just maybe not at the smaller grocery stores. But its great to have for milk shakes, cookies, anything really.
Edith says
Well, all you single ladies will be sharing this recipe with all the married ladies! Can’t wait to make these.
Lizzy, enjoy your successes, and your occasional failure, now while you are young. Take it from a 44-year old married lady who didn’t get married until she was 35 – travel, have fun, basque in the glory that is your website and your new book. You are smart and talented (I did see you on the Sing Off) and extremely beautiful. Mr. Right and babies can wait. I hope my 4-year old daughter is as strong and self-assured as you are when she gets older.
Congratulations! See you in Los Angeles when you do your book tour.
Lizzy Mae Early says
Thanks so much for your support Edith!
Courtney Willis says
I hear ya! I can’t wait to try these tonight with my sister!! #allthesingleladies
PS: Question, any idea when your wonderful little cookbook will make it into OUR hot little anxiously awaiting hands?? 🙂
Lizzy Mae Early says
It will be in stores in March!
Courtney Willis says
Awesome! Can’t wait! 🙂
PS: I just made the cupcakes. The marscapone filling was a hit! A great Valentine’s treat.
Emilie says
I am married but i am still making these for my husband for our belated valentines dinner on monday. I can’t wait to try them!
P.S. Is your book going to available to preorder on amazon?
Lizzy Mae Early says
Probably not a pre-order but I will let you know when you can order it online!
Avid Baker says
Hi! I love your recipes. I thought I saw a recipe somewhere where you put a filling into the cupcake that then soaked into it? It was chocolate if I am remembering correctly. I can’t seem to find it now. Thanks!
Lizzy Mae Early says
On the bottom of the cupcake pages, there is a previous or more recipes little click on the bottom left side, use that to scroll thought the recipes. I have caramel and chocolate sauces that soak through some cupcakes
Jaimee says
I want to make this frosting, does the malted milk dissolve or do you get a bit of graininess? Just wondering.
Thanks!!
Lizzy Mae Early says
I’ve never noticed any grainy-ness. I use the carnation brand and I beat it up better with the butter!
Rachel says
Hey Lizzy,
Next week we’re having a construction-themed birthday party for my son. He’s turning 1, so he’ll be single for a while 🙂 I want to make a chocolate cake, so of course I came to your website. I have made your cupcake recipes dozens of times, but I was wondering if the recipe would transfer over to a sheet cake instead of cupcakes. I’m sure the baking time would be different, but is there anything else that I should modify? I’m also thinking about adding some unsweetened chocolate to the mascarpone to make it brown. The cake is going to look like an excavation site. Think it will work?
Kat says
Made it and everyone loved it!