Vanilla Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream
Yesterday I learned that Kathy’s Birthday was on Monday so I asked Jason if he could deliver a birthday treat to her at work. After putting much thought into what I could come up with I decided to really have some fun in the kitchen….. Thomas Keller cupcakes from his new book Ad Hoc!
To date, this might just be one of the most fun kitchen episodes I have experienced. I mean to start, the cupcake recipe is a buttery white cake with a crisp top. The batter starts out like almost any other great cupcake batter (think along the lines of the recipes for a Magnolia cupcake or one from Billy’s Bakery- whole milk, butter, sugar, you get the idea) but near the end you whip up a bunch of egg whites until you have almost stiff peaks and fold the dream-like clouds into the batter.
Once the batter was complete I measured a level 1/3 cup dry measuring cup full of batter and placed it into a lined muffin tin (I was certain this would create a disaster but Mr. Keller would not publish this if it did not work). I was simply in awe as none of the cupcakes ran over the edge or they did not rise enough, they came out perfectly.
After the cupcakes cooled and I enjoyed a relaxing glass of red, I got the energy I needed to make the chocolate buttercream. Oh and I bet you’re thinking that this is just like any other buttercream recipe… Nope. For this recipe I started out by making homemade marshmallow over the stove top. Then, I whipped it on the stand mixed for ten minutes to cool it so the butter would not melt once I added it. I added 3 1/2 sticks of butter, in 1/2″ slices, two to three pieces at a time until they were mixed in well. I adjusted the speed and let Mr. Kitchen Aid work the magic. After this came together I added 5oz. of cooled chocolate (I used 61% chocolate) and then threw it in the fridge to get to the right consistency to be piped onto the cupcakes.
These are the perfect treat for any celebration- happy baking!
P.S. Happy New Year and thanks again for stopping by. I promise to have more kitchen adventures this year and appreciate your support.
*Full recipe can be found in the Ad Hoc cookbook available through The Cupcake Forest store*
The Cupcake Forest 
What a treat! Cupcake, buttercream, shavings and all.
It looks wonderful…
Would you care to share the recipe?
Hi Shelly,
Thanks for stopping by my page. The full recipe can be found in the Ad Hoc cookbook available for purchase through The Cupcake Forest Store, http://astore.amazon.com/thecupfor-20 (you can paste this into your browser). Happy baking!.
Alicia
Hello Alicia,
Thank you for your kind response!
I had to bake some white cupcakes, and was so tempted and curious by your photo (still am), that I thought I might give it a try…
It definitely looks like one worth trying!
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
that is a very pretty birthday cupcake:)
mmmm so tasty! looks gorgeous! yumm!
I made this same combo just this weekend (recently rec’d the AHAH book). Did your frosting have some sugary grittiness to it? Mine tasted great, but I was surprised that the sugar had not dissolved completely in the egg whites bc I took them to 159 degrees after stirring for 20+ min at the stove!
Hi Ali- I hope you enjoyed the cupcakes. I don’t think I experienced any grittiness in the frosting. All I can remember is I think I whipped it a bit longer because my arm really hurt afterwards, but it was so worth it. Thanks for checking out the site and happy baking!
Did I ever thank you enough for the birthday cupcakes? They were really spectacular. You are such a thoughtful, kind and talented person. I am in awe.
Thanks so much!
Kathy- I am glad you loved them. I thought they would were the perfect treat for you. Thank you for all the great baking advice- Cheers to you!
Do you know if the frosting will keep? Other recipes (Gourmet cookbook) report that it will keep in the refrigerator for a week. I want to make this for a dinner but will be unable to do it all the same day.
Hi Susan- I would think that it would keep however you may have to warm the frosting over a double broiler. Good luck, your dinner guests will love them 🙂
Wow! This recipe is simply awesome. Just by looking at the pics made my mouth water. I will surely try this tonight and serve it as a dessert for dinner. It would really go well with a hot cup of coffee made from my delonghi espresso machine at home. Kudos!
What a beautiful birthday gift.. cupcakes from your own kitchen. I’d love it if someone did that for me as I’d know they were made with love! Cheers!