Maple and Chocolate

So, was anyone wondering what happened to that 6-inch cake from our previous post on our Hedgehog Cupcakes? Well, after dinner last night with Howard's parents we met up with friends to watch a movie. Our meeting place? A Wal-Mart Superstore. So we couldn't help but pick up some baking ingredients and maple extract!

The afternoon sun wants the tip of our cake!

Maple Buttercream

(Makes about 1 cup)

1/2 a stick of butter

1 cup of confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon of pure maple extract

1 1/2 teaspoons of water

1. Using a mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
2. Add in the sugar and mix until well blended.
3. Add the maple extract and mix until smooth and fluffy.
4. Slowly add each teaspoon of water until you achieve the consistency you like.
5. Scoop the buttercream into a piping bag and pipe out an even swirl to fill the cake. Leftover buttercream can be used on extra cupcakes!

Piping a giant swirl to fill the cake!

Chocolate Cupcake with Maple Buttercream

Yum! The cake and maple buttercream combination was delicious! It reminded us of maple glazed donuts from Tim Horton's! With a cup of hot tea, this is a great winter snack!