Two things happened last weekend.
Well, actually, many more things happened, but they were all unworthy of being mentioned.
For instance, I accidentally tripped on the curtain in the dining room as I was rearranging the chairs and the whole thing fell on me.
I accidentally bit my own tongue while eating a bagel.
And finally, I accidentally fell asleep in the middle of a conversation with the husband, mid-sentence.
See, nothing new, nothing unusual. They were so totally not worthy to report to you.
The only two things worthy to report are these:
- We were completely snowed in. Okay, come to think of it, that’s not so worthy to report, either. Especially for you who live in the Northeast. It’s been this way for a long time now. Nothing new, nothing unusual.
- The oven guy finally came to deliver and install my new stainless steel oven/microwave set.
Okay, that’s totally worthy to talk about, right? That I was getting a new and pretty oven set?
Except, I didn’t. In the end, it didn’t happen.
First of all, the guy told us he would arrive between 10 am – 3 pm. Talk about being precise, it’s almost like the weather forecast. Haha…
I was advised not to use the oven/stove because if the oven was hot, he wouldn’t be able to move it.
So all day long, we pretty much lived on toasts and bagels.
The kids were cool. They didn’t complain.
The husband was a sport. He didn’t cry .
And I was a saint. I kept my mouth shut, even though the hours kept ticking and the guy was taking too long and I was really hungry for more than bagels and toasts.
Around 3 pm, when we realized he was late, we gave him a call to see if delivery had been cancelled due to weather. Which would have been understandable. At that point, the snow was piling up thickly.
He said no, he would be there shortly. Shortly being loosely defined. He arrived 2 hours later.
And said, “Yeah, I’m going to need you to shovel a pathway so I can bring the oven in.”
Huh?!
“I can bring it in, but if I accidentally slip and drop the oven, I won’t be liable.”
What?!
He left me speechless.
I did the only thing sensible. I told him to pack up and come back another time.
When it’s not snowing!
But I was very disappointed…
And when you’re disappointed, you want a cupcake… The happy, chocolate kind. Stuffed with pecan pie filling.
Frosted with white chocolate mousse.
And it must have lots of sprinkles…
‘Coz without sprinkles, it would just be a muffin…
Pecan Pie-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate cupcakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar*
1/4 cup butter (half a stick)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dark chocolate morsels, melted
1 teaspoon instant espresso (optional)
1/2 cup milk
1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Mix instant espresso with melted chocolate, if using. Stir into butter mixture.
5. Alternating between the flour and the milk, add them to the butter mixture a little at a time, beating well after each addition. You’ll get a stiff/thick batter.
6. Line muffin pan with paper baking cups. Fill about 3/4 full.
7. Bake for 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean. Makes 10 medium cupcakes.
*Use 3/4 cup of sugar if you don’t plan to fill cupcakes.
Pecan-pie filling
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons corn starch
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
1. Mix all ingredients, except for vanilla and pecan, in a small saucepan.
2. Cook on medium heat, whisking constantly, just until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Let mixture cool completely.
White Chocolate Mousse
4 ounces white chocolate*, cut into very small pieces
3 tablespoons milk or water (at room temperature)
1 cup heavy cream
1. Place chocolate and milk in a heat-proof bowl.
2. Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a wide pan. Turn the heat off.
3. Place the bowl with chocolate & milk in the pan of hot water
4. Stir constantly until melted or smooth. Or you can melt chocolate in a microwave, on low. Place in a microwave-safe container. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Return to microwave and heat for another 30 seconds.
5. Let melted chocolate cool.
6. Whip cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add cooled melted chocolate. Stir with a spatula. At this point, you will get very soft and smooth mousse.
7. Whip again until a stiffer, spreadable mousse is achieved.
*Use only baking chocolate (I used Ghirardelli white chocolate baking bar).
Assembling the cupcake
1. Use a cupcake corer or a melon baller to scoop out the center of each cupcake.
2. Trim the core, saving the top part to use as a plug.
3. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of pecan pie filling into each cavity. Place the “plug” piece back on the cupcake.
4. Spoon white chocolate mousse into a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
5. Pipe frosting on cupcakes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
6. Just before serving, decorate with colorful sprinkles.
That sounds like a very frustrating day, definetely worthy of a pecan pie filled chocolate cupcake 🙂
Did you notice I used all three I wasn’t allowed to touch? Oven, microwave, stovetop for just one recipe? 😀 Hopefully, I’ll get them delivered this Saturday without a hitch!
Hopefully we’re done with big snowstorms for this winter!
I hope so, too! So done with snow! And the salt getting on my car and boots!
Utterly delicious! I guess, the best thing that happened to you last weekend could be these cute tasty cakes!
Thanks, Sri, or is it Devi? Or Sridevi? 🙂 My kids benefitted greatly from my disappointment, lol 😀 They really enjoyed these!
Ouch! I occasionally bite my cheek. Then, as if fate was conspiring to get me, I bite it again an hour later.
I’m glad about the sprinkles. It reminds me of my childhood. Luckily I get to relive it with the grandsons. 🙂
Lol, why do these things happen to us?!
I bought these sprinkles really coz my daughter asked for them, but turns out I enjoy them as much as she does! What a surprise! 😀
Angie you and your family definitely deserved these cupcakes after your ordeal! 🙂 Gosh they look delicious with the pecan pie filling inside them! How do you come up with these great ideas? Probably while you were waiting patiently for the guy and your oven to show up? ha ha at least you made good use of the time! 🙂
Remember my “failed” PecChoc cake? I thought I’d recreate that in cupcake size, since we really liked the way it tasted. That was the inspiration behind these cupcakes. Turns out pecan pie filled cupcakes are not new after all. There are many versions online. But the white chocolate mousse frosting is uniquely mine, hehe…so good! 🙂
I really didn’t think one could EVER improve on pecan pie. I mean, it’s pecan pie, after all. But this? This is genius. Pure genius.
Thanks, Varina! I’m really glad you like them. I’m partial to pecan pie myself! 😀
How do you do it everytime? Such complex recipes, incorporated with so much finesse n recorded to the point. Beautiful n flavorful recipe post ❤️
Oh c’mon! Your recipes are much more complex! What about that dish you made, the one with all kinds of veggies and muthiyas? Hey, I need to go back to it! It uses methi, doesn’t it? And it’s Friday, no meat for me! That dish would fit the bill nicely, if I can recreate it ?
Make Muthiyas with methi for snacking! You will love it :). Sprinkle some dry coconut on top. Yummm
Dry coconut flakes? Wow! That sounds so, so awesome! Can’t wait to make that. Unfortunately gotta get ready for work now. Can’t wait to come back home and start on that muthiyas!
You will love it. Here is the deal. Once you make the Muthiyas, make a tempering of oil, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, dry red chillies.
Add the tempering on top and garnish with cilantro and dry coconut flakes. A great snack.
I’ll give it a try! Need to get more besan flour. I’m excited! Thanks, hon! ?
I totally agree with Sonal… I tell you, I’m start thinking that you are a kind of super hero with some special power… I can’t wait to see what you will make with the new oven! The oven guy should shovel even your garden in retribution!
Aaaw…you’re so nice! No, I’m no hero, just someone who wanted cupcakes ?. The oven should be here tomorrow, hopefully everything will go smoothly!
what a lush treat – perfect! Yes, I had when delivery guys have no clue about timing – many’s the time I have sat home literally all day to get a phonecall at 5pm saying they won’t be coming #rude
Oh, I’ve been there myself! I hope tomorrow will go smoothly. I wonder what he’ll do to my old oven? It still works. Although I wouldn’t know anyone who would want an old oven ?
these look AMAZING! thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much! So glad you like them! ?
Oh Angie, I have been through that with the delivery guys too! What the heck is that with the 5 hour window for delivery?? Well, at least you got to eat cupcakes – and very gourmet cupcakes, I might add! Huh, maybe you should have bribed the delivery man with the cupcakes!! 😀
I guess it’s universal every where with these delivery guys. What’s up with that?! He’ll be back tomorrow. Hopefully this time more prepared and with a plan! But no cupcakes for him, none left ??
Beautiful cupcakes! And good luck getting the oven, hope it stops snowing soon…
Thank you so much! I hope it gets warm soon, too! Can’t handle the cold any longer!! ??
Talk about a surprise inside of a cupcake. Wow! These look so good!
Thanks, Debbie! They tasted amazing! My kids can attest to it! ?
That was really upsetting, Angie. I am glad you made these cupcakes to cheer you up. When something upsets me, I always eat – eat like ‘stress eating’. These cupcakes, no wonder, could definitely make anyone’s day. I hope your oven would be delivered soon. 😉
Thanks, Jhuls! The guy will come back tomorrow. I’ve cleared a pathway straight to my kitchen. No more excuses! I know exactly what you mean about stress eating. I do it all the time. Nothing makes me happier than food! ??
Because of stress eating, I am gaining so much weight. 😐 But as you said, food makes you happy… so am I. 😀 I so excited for you. See you at FF. 😉
Will see you soon at FF57, Jhuls! Just need to upload a couple of photos and it should be ready to go.
Yay! So excited. See you!! xx
Boo about your new oven – exciting that you’re eventually getting one though!
These cupcakes totally make up for the lack of new oven, they look so good – like insanely good!!
Thanks, Michelle! This is right up your alley, isn’t it? But I do remember your Ferrero Rocher cupcakes. They would have made me happier, I think. Still have to try them, maybe with the new oven! ??
I need to try your pecan pie filled cupcakes and you need to try my ferrero rocher ones, then we can pit them against each other!!
Or just happily eat yummy cupcakes!
That’s a great idea! I think we’ll be two HAPPY cats! Fat cats, but happy! ??
I hope you get your oven soon! My mom is visiting me from the northeast, and the moment she arrived we had our first snow in three weeks. (I’m thinking she’s Queen Elsa.) BUT, I’m glad you made cupcakes with your time inside. They look delicious too! Hope you have a fantastic weekend. 🙂
Thanks, Kaila! Hahah…your mom is Queen Elsa, she brought the snow with her! But not enough! We still have plenty here! Can’t wait for all of it to melt away and I can see green on my lawn once again! 🙂
OH MY!!!! speechless. two of my favorites, chocolate cupcakes, pecan pie, ok make it three white chocolate mousse. Angie, incredible. I am going to assume the saga of the stove delivery had a happy ending.
Thanks, Suzanne! They were pretty amazing. My best cupcakes so far! They delivery guy is coming back tomorrow. I just can’t wait to get acquainted with my new oven! 🙂
beautiful cupcakes!
Thank you so much, Pree!
….. and what a sweet-filled ending to some of your woes that day! Gorgeous photos and cupcakes! You’ll love your stainless steel oven, we just replaced ours a few months ago, it also has a convection feature that I’m trying out.
We picked one with convection feature, too. My mom used to have such an oven. It was kinda loud but roast chicken came out great! Can’t wait to get acquainted with the new oven, will be here tomorrow! ?
This helped me understand convection better. https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-a-convection-oven-and-when-do-i-use-it-appliance-guides-from-the-kitchen-216549
Thanks for the link, will check it out for sure!
your cupcakes look so utterly perfect before you core them i dont know how you do it . These are to die for, well not literally but wow, pecan, my fav, could i have a plate pelase? x
I’m beaming you up a plate via teleporter. Hope you enjoy! ??
haha thank you mmmm yum all in my tum
Dow! I totally just posted my comment to this post on the wrong page, I get click-happy and this is what happens! Ignore me, and feel free to delete that mishap of mine! To sum up my thoughts, these cupcake are to die for, and that delivery guy is not! Enjoy having an oven again, it’s torture without one isn’t it?!
No, I wouldn’t delete any comment from you!! They make me happy, no matter where you place them!! 😀
Obviously, that is the only appropriate way to deal with disappointment.
Well played.
We think alike, you and I 😀
How do you get your frosting so perfect?! Mine never stays stiff enough to pipe, except when it’s too stiff and won’t come out of the piping nozzle! These look gorgeous – definitely going to give these a go. Can’t believe the delivery man though!
Whipped cream frosting is the easiest for me. Soft and easy to pipe. Refrigerate for a few hours if it’s too soft to pipe or you may need to whip more. I hope you’ll give it another try. I may update the recipe with more photos, so you can see how the frosting looks. ??
Refrigerating is maybe where I’m going wrong! I get too impatient. Thanks for the tip, I’ll have another go and I’ll let you know how I get on!
Hard to believe what happened to you – not liable? Great picker-upper to make cupcakes and with a different twist or I should say filling! Looks delicious 🙂
He didn’t exactly use the word liable. He gave me a song and a dance, but basically that was what he said. He didn’t seem too eager to do the job. I think he was actually glad I refused delivery. Can’t blame him really, it was snowing and cold! 🙂 But the new oven is safely installed now and I’m a happy camper!
Oh Angie, you had me at pecan pie. What a fabulous idea combining a chocolate cupcake with sweet pecan pie filling and then to top it off with white chocolate mousse, yummy!
The filling and the mousse frosting really were the best parts of the cupcakes! You should give them a try, Lily! I’m sure you can come up with creative uses for them!
OMG! Beautiful photo and wonderful recipe!
Thanks, Olga! Really were my best cupcakes so far! The filling and frosting are keepers!
Love how you tell the story, even though sorry you didn’t get the oven (though made sense to turn away, what a strange thing to not be liable?!) but what yummy looking cupcakes to get over it!
I know, right? If he drops the oven, how’s that not his responsibility? He wasn’t happy to deliver in the snow, I think, but why did he not cancel then? Can’t understand some people. Maybe his boss made him. Anyway, 2 different guys came today and my new oven has already produced fluffy little cakes I made at midnight! 😀
Hooray! Ha, ha, if only I could have your energy to cook at midnight with a new oven (once upon a time it wold have been no problem, but not these days, with a toddler who wakes me most nights!)
Yum!
Thanks so much!
Sorry you didn’t get your new oven, but these look like they’ll help lessen the disappointment 🙂 They look amazing!
Got them today, Natalie! Oven & microwave both. At first I was too afraid to use them. Didn’t want to get them dirty, lol! But then I took the plunge and made little cakes. Came out perfect! 🙂
Jaw-droppingly droolicious cupcakes Angie!! That filling…OMG! Hope you get the new oven soon!!
Thanks, Naina! Got the ovens today and already made cakes! 😀
OMG! Are you covered is cuts and bruises now then??? And you reminded me of when my husband used to talk me to sleep at night 😉
I’d be so frustrated about the oven, I hope it all gets sorted soon, in the meantime, fab cakes, superstar xx
No, but I had a ball on my head for two days! Ok, I exaggerated. It was just a little bump. But the curtain needed mending which I did by myself! Good thing I know a little about sewing :D. And the ovens and I are besties now, lol!
Yay!!! 😉
I love, love, love cupcakes, Angie, and boy does this one look good! Pecan pie filling in a cupcake sounds amazing. And I like that you have lots of frosting – my favorite part! I really wish you delivered!:)
The frosting was the best part! I even put it in my coffee it was that good, haha… I wish I could beam you up some! Really I would love to share them with you! 🙂
You certainly know how to bounce back when the going gets tough. These cupcakes look like a great way to deal with the disappointment.
Sugar and chocolate! That’s my answer to all my problems. Unfortunately!! 😀 It had been a while since I last made cupcakes at that point, so it was time.
Gorgeous photos!
Thanks so much, Julia!
Very interesting cupcakes! I wish I could take pictures like yours!
I’m no expert myself, believe me! But practice makes perfect, Su! 🙂
Angie, these cupcakes looks so amazing 🙂 I’m ashamed to say until now I don’t know how to use a piping bag, this is always a disaster 🙁 Have a wonderful weekend xx
Oh no, piping disaster? It’s not so hard to learn a few simple piping techniques, Linda. Don’t give up! Give it another try. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it! 🙂
I will try again 😀
I love this! Very interesting cupcake. But what i liked the most is the frosting recipe. White chocolate is my faaav. I will definitely make this one. 🙂
You’ll love the frosting, Sadia! It’s the best part! Soft frosting that needs refrigeration, but it’s so good!! 🙂
I am in love with these little cupcakes! They look delicious! So pretty, well done!
Thanks, Arlene! I love the pecan filling. And the frosting! Will be good with any kind of cupcakes.
Wow – what a week. Hasn’t this winter been ridiculous? ENOUGH happened quite a while ago. The cupcakes are gorgeous. You go to such much effort in your kitchen. Can’t imagine what will happen once you have a new stove and microwave. 😉
They’re here, the stove and microwave! They have a few features the old ones didn’t have, so I’m thinking I’ll be able to do a lot more. Except I’m too afraid to use them since I don’t want to get them dirty, lol! ??
This is confusing: I thought cupcakes were flat. Yet, these look majestically domed. I’d be more than happy with the plain ones. Although, hold on, I happen to love pecans. Such a shame they’re hideously expensive over here.
– And you sent the guy packing! I’m guessing you don’t need a guard dog…
I’ve made some that are flat, some not so flat ?. I prefer them to be kinda mounding a little. Then put even more mounding frosting! ?
Pecans are not cheap here, either, but if you buy them in bulk, you can get them at a decent price. Want me to send you some?
What a week! Is it bad that i laughed out loud at the tripping over curtains. Not because i don’t love you, but because it’s something I would do. The louder the racket the better. But wow re these cupcakes! I don’t think i’d bounce back with something like this. I’d probably feel sorry for myself and make kale and eggs wishing you were there to make me some beautiful pastry and photograph it like a champ 🙂 Gorgeous. Seriously.
Kale and eggs sound awesome right now, actually! If only my brain works this way every time! But the stuff I crave the most is mostly junky, bad-for-you foods! Especially when I’m under a lot of stress ?. Today was pretty stressful, with the ovens being delivered and installed and I was trying to make appetizers & salad for dinner with friends. Guess what my snack of choice was? Ben and Jerry’s ??
Filled cupcakes! What a gorgeous idea! I love it, Angie! Thanks for the great inspiration. 🙂 Best, Qin
Thanks, Qin! I’m so glad you like the idea! ?
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
Oh my goodness, that looks so delicious!! Cool idea! I made two dozen German chocolate cupcakes on Friday, they are gone already! I am going to try your recipe this week!
I love German chocolate cake! Well, anything with chocolate ?. This one is a good basic chocolate cake recipe. I did reduce the sugar and butter to accommodate for the extra calories from the filling & frosting. Still came out excellent! If you don’t count calories, you probably can add veg oil to make them extra moist. Let me know what you think! The filling & frosting are to die for!
So this is how you get stuff inside cupcakes! I had no idea, although I certainly feel smarter now. These look glorious and I do hope your new oven arrives soon and more timely. Then again, if this is the way you pacify yourself, maybe I’d be ok with it happening again.
Beautiful cupcakes.
Thanks, Meghan! I tend to go for sweets & chocolate when under stress ?. But the new ovens are here! I’m in love! Though now I’m stressing out about them getting dirty! Guess it means more chocolate, lol!!