Animal Cracker Cupcakes 01/22/2012
Two of my latest obsessions: -Goodwill Excursions -Porcelain Animals For the former, I credit my husband. Because growing up, I didn't go thrift-store shopping. Not ever. Not once. Now mind you, my mom is one of the most budget-conscious people I know, but with four girls to clothe, she didn't have time to rummage for treasures. So when I met my husband, I also discovered the excitement of finding something special amongst....well, let's say it...trash. Ryan and I been to Goodwill four times in the last two weeks, and we've found our share of vintage wares. The second obsession--my porcelain animals--came, no doubt, from the books and zoo trips and stuffed animals of my childhood. We were a family that adored the great outdoors. When I was 15, I even went to Botswana. I watched herds of giraffe run along side our bus as we cruised down dirt-packed roads. I woke up to find an elephant wandering through our campsite. My childhood was infused with experiences and images of majestic beasts. And oh yes, did I mention I ate a lot of animal crackers? 
So these cupcakes? They are a melding of many passions and memories. Porcelain animals (found at goodwill) reminding of my childhood...and inspiring me to buy a red bag of those golden treats. These cupcakes would be perfect for child and adult. Who wouldn't like a rich chocolate cake topped with cream cheese frosting and an animal cracker? To make these cupcakes extra special, I also crushed up a dozen animal crackers and added them to the batter. This is a fitting way to give a broken animal cracker an honorable end. In other news, I finished my first week of my fourth semester of graduate school. I'm downhill now, and I feel the momentum gaining. Thank you for all your love and support during this busy but exciting time. 
Animal Cracker Cupcakes Chocolate Cupcake Base 8 Tbsp unsalted butter 1/2 cup Dutch processed cocoa 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup sour cream 2 dozen animal crackers (you can do more, if you'd like) Cream Cheese Frosting 1 8 ounce package of cream cheese 1 stick of unsalted butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 2-3 cups powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 12 tin muffin pan. Using a double boiler, bring 1-2 inches of water to boil. Add your butter (cut into chunks), chocolate, and cocoa to the bowl above the boiling water. While melting, whisk the ingredients until well combined and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool. Alternately, this can be melted in the microwave. I usually heat in 30 second increments to ensure that the mixture doesn't burn. 2 In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. 3 In a large bowl beat your eggs. Add the salt and sugar and beat until well combined. Slowly add in the chocolate butter mixture and beat until smooth. 4 Add in half of the sifted flour mixture, mix to combine. Mix in the sour cream. Mix in the remaining flour mixture. Stir in the crushed animal crackers. 5 Spoon the batter into the lined muffin cups. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 6 Let cupcakes cool in muffin tin on a rack for 15 minutes. Then gently remove cupcakes from the tin and let cool completely before frosting. To make Cream Cheese Frosting: 1. Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and cream until well combined, adding more sugar if necessary. 2. Use a spatula or wide knife to spread over cooled cake. Always, Monet Anecdotes and Apple Cores Comments01/23/2012 7:00am
Sometimes when my husband and I both have the day off we will spend it going from thrift store to thrift store. One time he found an Armani suit. Can you believe that!? I was quite jealous, I never find anything that good :( It's always fun to look though. Monet 01/23/2012 11:20am
I agree, Annie! There was nothing more exciting than one of those boxes! 01/23/2012 7:00am
Sometimes when my husband and I both have the day off we will spend it going from thrift store to thrift store. One time he found an Armani suit. Can you believe that!? I was quite jealous, I never find anything that good :( It's always fun to look though. 01/23/2012 8:27am
My husband hates shopping, so I go to thrift stores, occasionally, looking for Depression Glass. 01/23/2012 8:39am
Love your little animals! Cookies and cake and cream. Lovely. You're very busy these days, Monet; glad you still find the time to post once a week! (Goodwill's great for photo props, too!) 01/23/2012 9:49am
These are absolutely adorable. I've always loved animal crackers! What a fun idea to use them in cupcakes! When I was little, I collected the porcelain animals that came in boxes of tea. They're still a huge part of my childhood memories. It must have been quite an experience to see those great animals in person! 01/23/2012 10:40am
So glad you discovered Goodwill, Monet. I have only discovered Goodwill since the year, 2000...only because they remodeled an old antique shop into a new Goodwill store. Out of curiosity, I browsed through, and back then, its seems like the antique shop left a bunch of furniture pieces, and accessories behind, to sell "dirt cheap"...well, that's when my obsession started with amazing furniture pieces since I love antiques...then, followed by dishes, glassware, and bake ware items...not to mention, books, mostly amazing cookbooks! Monet 01/23/2012 11:19am
What a great find, Claudia! It is such an adventure...I love walking away with treasures. 01/23/2012 2:21pm
Thrift stores are so much fun! I always like going in and finding little things or even clothes! 01/23/2012 2:55pm
How creative, incorporating animal crackers into cupcakes. They sure do look adorable, great pictures. Also, goodwill shopping has its benefits. My mom works at a charitable clothes place and guess what showed up...Prada shoes-not only more than one paid but they were all brand new! Guess that is incentive to keep looking for those treasures! Great post! 01/23/2012 3:09pm
I love animal crackers! The idea of adding them to cupcakes is genius Monet. These sound fantastic. 01/23/2012 10:24pm
I love the idea of putting animal crackers right in the batter - I also love porcelain animals. Especially vintage dogs. Nothing's cuter than an ugly little porcelain pug :) 01/24/2012 1:52am
Gorgeous photo Monet (and what a great name you have too :) ) - so pleased to have connected! xx 01/24/2012 8:02am
As my friend Annie and I indulged in a little carrot cake over the weekend, we discussed how underrated cream cheese frosting is. How did it take me so long to change my feelings towards such a rich and delicious treat? 01/24/2012 11:50am
I love going to the Goodwill and I have other special little Thrift (Stores in my area. I am always finding treasures. I even like to find my jeans there. Sometimes you really have to search for the "right" ones. The neat thing is that they have already been washed and you know they are not going to shrink!! Have Fun!!! Delicious! 01/24/2012 8:07pm
Gorgeous & fun cupcakes! And those ceramic animals are really cute... LOVE giraffes! :) I love excursions to the thrift stores too... though all the ones I've been to sold mostly books. Not complaining :) Great post, Monet! Jeannie 01/25/2012 4:13am
Your animal cupcakes are so beautiful, I haven't had animal crackers for ages! What a great idea with the cupcakes! Adorable! You know how much I love thrift shopping. Goodwill, Salvation Army, craigslist, garage sales, architectural salvage and vintage stores plus much more. Greg, my husband, wasn't into it from "traumatic" experiences with his mom but today, he adores it almost as much as me. I also look for animal figurines. They are great for displays and so darn cute. Have a great week, Monet! 01/26/2012 11:44am
I love thrift store shopping, you can find such treasures!! Love these cupcakes. So cute. 01/27/2012 1:35pm
I love thrift stores, animal crackers and CAKE. What a cute idea - I am now craving animal crackers. That really is a first! 02/07/2012 10:32am
This is the cutest post! I love all your porcelain animal treasure finds surrounding the cupcakes. My daughter would go wild over these. So cute! Thrift stores have amazing treasures if you're willing to dig! :-) 02/20/2012 12:16pm
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