Page 331 - Chocolate Cake Doctor

M U F F I N S , C U P C A K E S , A N D L I T T L E C A K E S 313

the machine and scrape down the sides
R of the bowl with a rubber spatula. In -
crease the mixer speed to medium and beat
the Cake Mix Doctor says 2 minutes more, scraping the sides down
again if needed. The batter should look
Some children refuse to eat dark choco - thick and well combined. Spoon the batter
late; they favor the milder flavor and into the lined muffin cups, filling each
lighter color of the German mix. If nuts liner two thirds of the way full. Spoon a
are an issue, just omit them. And if the tablespoon of filling onto the center of each
birthday boy or girl insists on frosting, muffin. Place the pans in the oven.
go with Fluffy Chocolate Frosting (page
4. Bake the muffins until they spring
408), perfect for licking off the top!
back when lightly pressed with your fin-
ger, 23 to 27 minutes. Remove the pans
from the oven and place them on wire
1. Place the cream cheese and sugar in a
racks to cool for 5 minutes. Run a din-
large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric
ner knife around the edges of the muffin
mixer on low speed until combined, 30
liners, lift the muffins up from the bot-
sec onds. Add the vanilla and egg. Beat
tom of the pan using the end of the
another 30 seconds on low, or until the
knife, and pick them out of the cups
egg is incorporated. Stir in the chocolate
carefully with your fingertips. Place
chips, coconut, and pecans. Set the filling
them on a wire rack to cool for 15 min-
aside.
utes before serving.
2. Place a rack in the center of the oven
Store the muffins, wrapped in alu-
and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24
minum foil or plastic wrap, or in a cake
muffin cups with paper liners. Set the
saver, at room temperature for up to 1 week.
pans aside.
Or freeze them, wrapped in foil, for up to
3. Place the cake mix, water, oil, and eggs 6 months. Thaw the muffins overnight in
in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an elec- the refrigerator before serving.
tric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop