Heavenly Hostess Cupcakes

Wednesday was a very big day at our house, the day my kids went back to school. Now this was made a little more momentous because my oldest was starting high school, second daughter was starting jr. high in a new school, too, and my youngest three were starting 1st grade.  All my babies were gone all day long.  The day before, we walked through the high school and jr. high, hoping to find all their classrooms and lockers and stuff, hoping to alleviate a little stress the next day - it helped a little, although Cheyenne still got lost once. :)  So at about 8 a.m. I watched as they all left me, they just walked away onto that big yellow bus and probably never thought about me again.  What did I do, did I break down and start bawling? No, that was so last year.  I did a little happy dance and then sat in an eerily quiet house.  I took a deep breath and realized I hadn't been alone for this much time in over 15 years.  Then I went to work.  I ran to the computer and quickly printed up this recipe from Somewhat Simple for hostess cupcakes, a treat for after school. While those baked, I grabbed a broom and went to work on my dirty kitchen floors that had been severely neglected while canning and kids tracking in mud everyday from the garden.  In record time the floors we're shining, the house smelled so good, and I still had hours to myself.  It is amazing how much you can get done in a day when you're not breaking up fights, seeing the newest lego creations, twirling with a princess, or having tea.  Then I sat down to lunch by myself and I realized I was really missing all of them.  I was missing having a tea party and playing legos.  I didn't have anyone to watch "Psych" with me while eating lunch.  And the house was still so quiet.  I've never been so excited to see the bus come in the afternoon.  The little kids came in bubbling with excitement, each talking over the top of the others, and then they saw the cupcakes.  They were so excited to try them (I was too, as I'd waited all this time to try one.)  There were sticky, marshmallowey, happy faces as they quickly ate them.  I was so happy!  Then the older girls came home and we repeated the same scenario without so much excitement and a little more drama as only teenage girls can have.  Now we're on day 3, and as much as I've enjoyed some free time to myself and I LOVE being able to take a shower without at least one person knocking on the door, I'm really missing them, too.  It's a happy balance of both.  I look forward to them leaving, but I sure look forward to them coming home, too.

I couldn't resist adding my cute (and goofy) kids. Natalie, Billy, Cheyenne, Jon, Maddie, and Chloe.

Okay, okay, enough of my sappiness.  On to, again, one of the best cupcakes I've ever made.  A HUGE hit with everyone in the family, even Bill who's not much of a sweets, and really not cupcakes, kind of guy.

Picture courteousy of Somewhat Simple because hers look much prettier than mine did.

•••Hostess Cupcakes•••

Cupcakes:
• 1 box cake chocolate cake mix (or your favorite cake recipe)
• water, eggs and oil called for on the cake mix box  Filling:
• 1 cup whipped vanilla frosting
• 1/2 cup marshmallow creme
Frosting:
• 1 cup whipped chocolate frosting
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tsp. corn syrup
• 3 Tbsp. whipped vanilla frosting (for the loops)

1. Bake cupcakes according to directions on package. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, continue to cool on cooling rack for another 30 minutes or until cooled completely.
2. With end of round handle of wooden spoon, make deep, 1/2-inch-wide indentation in center of each cupcake, not quite to the bottom (wiggle end of spoon in cupcake to make opening large enough). You could also use a melonballer to scoop out the middle of the cupcakes, instead of the spoon method. In small bowl, mix 1 cup vanilla frosting and the marshmallow creme. Spoon into small resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 3/8-inch tip off 1 bottom corner of bag (I used decorating bag and Wilton tip #12). Insert tip of bag into each cupcake and squeeze bag to fill.
3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate frosting, chocolate chips and corn syrup uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Microwave 15 to 30 seconds longer; stir until smooth. Dip top of each cupcake in frosting. Let stand until frosting is set.
4. Spoon 3 tablespoons vanilla frosting into decorating bag or small resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut tiny tip off 1 bottom corner of bag (I used Wilton tip #5). Pipe loops on each cupcake.  

Recipe from Somewhat Simple 

These were surprisingly really easy. I thought they'd take a lot more time and effort.  I think I may have overcooked my melted chocolate just a tad, as it was starting to harden just a little.  I ended up using a knife to spread my frosting on after the first few because I was getting to much filling and crumbs in it.  It worked, they just didn't look quite as pretty as hers in the picture.  I also may have filled them a little too full.  Ahh, I guess I'll be forced to make them again to practice. :)


Partying With:
Somewhat Simple
While he was napping
Whipperberry
Key Lime Digital Designs
Lovely Crafty Home
504 Main
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