Today’s post is less about the recipe (though it’s a good one) and more about the purpose. I wanted to make something pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I didn’t really have anything naturally pink on tap in my recipe plans, unfortunately, but I was determined to incorporate pink, so frosting it is. That’s easy enough to do. It’s about the point it makes after all, and besides, who doesn’t love pink frosting? Good, no objections. 🙂
I don’t think there’s a person on the planet whose life hasn’t been touched by some form of cancer, including breast cancer. My mother-in-law is currently battling it, so is her sister, and my aunt battled it too. One of my best friend’s mother also battled breast cancer, and I remember many conversations about what a difficult time it was for her and her family.
The idea to include something pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month came to me a few weeks ago, and then I saw that Taylor and a group of bloggers teamed up to do the same thing. I didn’t mean to step on toes, but it kind of works out because the more awareness, the better! That’s what it’s all about.
These are *perfect* milk chocolate cupcakes. They have the BEST springy and moist texture, and the precise amount of cocoa to make them not too dark and not too light! They’re ‘just right’ when it comes to richness. My grandmother loves to use her favorite fluffy white frosting on milk chocolate cake, and I like that recipe too, but I’m a sucker for a cream cheese frosting. Because, see, I feel that milk chocolate and cream cheese are really an underrated power team. They deserve more hype and attention as a flavor pairing. That is what I hope to accomplish here. Try it. You will see!
Can we stop for a minute to admire those sprinkle cupcake liners? I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t do a happy dance when I spotted those!
Milk Chocolate Cupcakes with (Pink!) Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 c. milk
- 2 tsp. white vinegar
- 3/4 c. butter softened
- 1 1/2 c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 3/4 c. flour
- 1/4 c. cocoa
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
Frosting:
- 1 - 8 oz. package reduced fat cream cheese softened
- 1 lb. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
For cupcakes:
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In a small bowl, combine milk and vinegar. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs, and beat until well-combined. Mix in vanilla.
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In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda.
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Add dry ingredients to mixing bowl alternately with the sour milk (milk + vinegar mixture).
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Fill paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full (and no more).
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Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool completely.
For frosting:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar, beating until fluffy.
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Mix in vanilla.
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Frost cupcakes and decorate with fun and colorful sprinkles!! Enjoy!
Hug your loved ones today! Thanks, as always, for sharing part of your day here!
Zainab says
October 17, 2014 at 2:10 pmYou are right, it’s about raising awareness! Love these cupcakes and the lovely pink frosting. The wrappers are cute!!
Sarah says
October 17, 2014 at 3:22 pmThank you for your sweet comment, Zainab!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! TGIF! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
October 17, 2014 at 4:30 pmI love that you made these cupcakes for Breast Cancer Awareness month, Sarah! I also know several people touched by this disease, so it hits close to home. These cupcakes look absolutely gorgeous! And your frosting skills are perfect! So beautiful, Sarah! Pinned!
Sarah says
October 17, 2014 at 5:53 pmThanks so much, Gayle! I was struggling yesterday to get the frosting the right color, and then I felt it wasn’t fluffy enough… and I could go on and on! Haha. But who cares because it tastes good! 🙂 Yes, cancer in general is so rampant and I wish more could be done for all forms of it. It affects too many people. Anyway, I hope you have a fabulous weekend! TGIF!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
October 17, 2014 at 5:03 pmGirl,these look SO good!! And thanks for sharing my mug cake!! Pinned!
Sarah says
October 17, 2014 at 5:50 pmAnytime! I love your recipes and their healthy spin balances the super sugary stuff going on over here! 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Taylor! Have a wonderful weekend!!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
October 17, 2014 at 7:39 pmThese look lovely Sarah! The bright pink frosting is beautiful. Hope you have a great weekend!
Sarah says
October 17, 2014 at 8:18 pmThank you! You too!! 🙂
Emanuelle says
October 19, 2014 at 10:22 amI’m not even that big of a sweet tooth but you’ve done these so perfectly, I’m actually craving one now!!
Sarah says
October 19, 2014 at 10:55 amHaha! So glad I could tempt you over to the sugary side! I WISH I was less of a sweet tooth, but I like me some dessert! 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind comment, Emanuelle! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Erin says
October 19, 2014 at 8:20 pmBeautiful! I might take a break from cookies to try these 🙂
Sarah says
October 19, 2014 at 8:21 pmYes! Do it! Oh, but cookies.. they are delicious too. Do both! 🙂
Andrea Fogleman says
October 22, 2014 at 7:48 pmI remember a time when cancer wasn’t a common diagnosis. It’s scary the number of people that have or had cancer at one time of their lives. Thanks for bringing awareness. Thanks for linking up for Scraptastic Saturdays. This post will be shared via FB/Twitter/Pinterest. Have a wonderful day. Hope to see you next Saturday.
Sarah says
October 22, 2014 at 7:59 pmYes, it’s very scary how high incidences of cancer are these days. Makes you wonder what environmental factors influence it, doesn’t it? Thank you for your kind comment! Have a great evening!
Rachel @ A Sweet Muddle says
October 23, 2014 at 9:36 pmHi Sarah, these cupcakes look delicious and so pretty! I love the pink icing… congrats on promoting such a worthwhile cause! I think the last photo with the bite taken out of it is my favourite… I’m imagining just how good it tastes! Yum 🙂
Sarah says
October 23, 2014 at 10:20 pmHaha! Yes, there’s something about pictures of food with bites taken out that make them look delectable! You’d think the opposite would be true, but for some reason it works, doesn’t it?? Thanks for your comment, Rachel! 🙂
Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
October 24, 2014 at 1:30 amGorgeous cupcakes! Just love the pretty pink icing. Your photos are really lovely!
Sarah says
October 24, 2014 at 1:11 pmThanks so much, Jessica! I love pink anyway, and it was a great reason to bust out my favorite icing color! 🙂 Pink turns out so pretty. Happy Friday!
Stephanie says
October 25, 2014 at 8:27 pmThose look prettier than from a bakery! And delicious too! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Sarah says
October 25, 2014 at 8:32 pmThank you! I’ll definitely be back to party again! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
October 26, 2014 at 7:20 amIt’s great that you made these for a good cause, they look very pretty and yummy! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!