Fat Galaxy

Two weeks ago I was asked to create some sort of sweet treat for a co-worker's birthday. Wanting to make it kind of a personal endeavor I tried to figure out how I could incorporate all the things I know that he likes. The list is short:
Star Trek/Battlestar Galactica, caffeine, PHP programming, and candy.

At least there are a couple of things in there that I could use. With the help of the lady who writes this blog I decided to make....

Milky Way Cupcakes (get it???) - Makes 24, adapted from Kelly's Pink Apron, Adapted from Buttercup Bakes at Home

For the cupcakes:
5 or 6 2.05 oz (regular sized) classic Milky Way candy bars, cut up
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and divided
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups buttermilk

For the frosting:
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 tablespoons milk
20 or so ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled to lukewarm
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons or more depending on your affection for nougat
3 cups (or slightly more) confectioners' sugar

Garnish:
Little piece of Milky Way bar for each cupcake.

Special equipment:
Piping bag

My favorite part of this recipe is the very first step: melt a stick of butter in with the candy bars.


Next, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda, powder, and salt.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the sugar and the remaining stick of the butter on medium speed of an electric mixer until fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well incorporated.

Add the dry ingredients alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Be careful not to overmix.

Stir in the melted candy (which should still be warm) and mix until marbleized.

Spoon the batter into the cups to about two-thirds full.

Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

For the frosting, beat the butter in a large bowl until creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the milk slowly and blend until smooth. Add the melted chocolate and beat well. Add the vanilla and beat another minute or so. Gradually add the sugar to taste and beat until of desired consistency. Frost cupcakes once cool.

Load the frosting into your piping bag and with an even steady hand, squeeze out line of frosting around the perimeter of the cupcake and work your way inward in an elliptical motion so as to mimic the shape of a GALAXY.



You can do this recipe with really any chocolate candy bar. These were overall too sweet for my taste and very, very messy. But people at work liked them.