Red, Red WINE....

...cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! Does it get any better than that? I've yet to come accross any. These cupcakes are the tastiest I've made. Click the title for a link to the site where I found the recipe. I'll add the recipe to this blog, too. They weren't too difficult to make but if you attempt them I recommend wearing an apron because as we all know, red wine stains, and it's easy to get carried away when using an electric mixer. The batter and wine is supposed to stay IN the bowl :)

What you’ll need for 24 cupcakes (see frosting recipe below):

• 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
• 5 oz. chocolate chips
• 1/2 C boiling water
• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 C sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 C flour
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 t salt
• 3/4 C red wine (I chose a Shiraz, which I think worked really well)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/2 C butter, room temperature
• Salt, pinch
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 2 1/2-3 C confectioner sugar
• 1 T vanilla

I'm going to Santa Barbara tomorrow morning in a big fancy limo for a friend's 30th birthday party. Once we get there we'll be wine tasting for hours and will return nice and saucey in the late evening. I've decided to take it upon myself to provide the birthday girl and guests with an appropriate dessert...duh, red wine cupcakes! The site recommends a Shiraz wine, which I used, because of it's sweeter taste. I added some red sugar sprinkles to top them off and give them an extra sparkle. I about melted as soon as one of these treats touched my lips. Absolutely delicious.

I'm excited to get everybody's reactions and opinions.

Pictures from the wine tasting party will soon follow...