The Kid got to bring home the ‘Class Bear’ to take on a weekend adventure and we decided to make cupcakes. Everyone knows you should wash your hands before you cook, and everyone knows I am a total germ-a-phobe.

Hot water, double rinse. Poor bear didn’t know what hit him.

Once the bear was clean the Baby and the Kid were ready to help make cupcakes! I went for mocha cupcakes, the coffee really brings out the chocolate flavor but if your bear is afraid of caffeine, just use decaf coffee…

ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup Valrhona cocoa powder
2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coffee

Chocolate Whipped Cream (recipe, here)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep a cupcake pan with liners.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time. Then the vanilla.

Alternating the flour mixture and the buttermilk until combined. Add in the coffee.

Pour the batter into the prepped liners. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. Let cool on a wire rack.

I topped these off with Chocolate Whipped Cream, the bear approves.

I hope the Bear enjoyed his foodie vacation and has just as much fun with his next family!