Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Devil's Food Cupcakes

"There’s a scarecrow, and he wanted a new brain. When we vote, we should use our heads. We should think about what is good for us, what is good for our children.

Second, there’s a Tin Woodsman who wanted a heart. So when you vote, also think about the Singaporeans who are worse off than you, having a harder time to make a good living in Singapore.

Third, there’s a cowardly lion who wanted some courage. So after you know what’s right to do, have the courage to do what’s right even if it means some changes from what you’re used to. Singapore, don’t be a cowardly lion!”

- Chen Show Mao, Workers' Party

Workers' Party Rally @ Serangoon Stadium 29 April 2011

"Mr Lee Kuan Yew once asked who is this man Chiam See Tong, he is like a shooting star. Shooting across the sky. And he took the trouble to examine my 'O' level results. And he went through the results very carefully and counted very carefully also. 1...2...3...4...5. He said and looked again, only 5. But I'm not ashamed of my 'O' level results. How many of you got 5 'O' levels? Put up your hands please. So you and I are the same. But don't be afraid, that's not the end of the world for you. I have 5 'O' levels, but I am a lawyer now."

"I am actually not a brave man, but I love Singapore, and I love Singaporeans..."

- Mr Chiam See Tong, Singapore's People Party

Singapore's People Party's Rally @ Bishan Stadium 2 May 2011

To all fellow Singaporeans...

These cupcakes have something to say to you.

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Devil's Food Cupcakes (adapted from Allysa Torey & Jennifer Appel's The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook)
the recipe below shows 2/3 of the original recipe, makes 25 small cupcakes for me

Ingredients:
173g cake flour
61g unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp salt
113g unsalted butter, softened
218g light brown sugar (I use 184g as I ran out of it)
66g sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
240ml buttermilk
1 1/3 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Line muffin tin with cupcake papers.
3. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, on medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, abt 3 mins.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended.
7. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them abt three-quarters full. Bake for 20-25mins, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
8. Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 25 to 30 mins (17 mins for me). Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing.
9. Decorate as desired.

Am submitting this entry to Aspiring Bakers #7 - Chocolate Delight (May 2011).

17 comments:

  1. Hi Jean! how clever of you to use your bakes to push forth a motion. Did you use stencils for the wordings? Look so cool!

    The moment when Mr Chiam See Tong said "I love Singapore and I love Singaporeans" was the breaking point for me. He may looked waned compared to the last election, but his spirit and passion still burns so fervently.

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  2. Encore! I love how the cupcakes put forth the message! You're so creative! I like your hammer! Hahaha...Btw, I was at the Serangoon Stadium on 29 Apr too! :)

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  3. did you make the stencils? they looks awesome!! i love the reference to wizard of oz too! :)

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  4. Jean!!! I admire you for writing this post and sending this message out! It has reached me! =) Which GRC are u under? I'm under east coast!

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  5. Jean,

    Thats very creative! haha, this theme is just in time for the election period. Love the quotes and especially the message "vote wisely"

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  6. n i think there's a message in your message.hahaha..after looking at your letter "T"

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  7. "Wisely" written post with yummy "wisely message" cupcakes. How wonderful!

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  8. Hahah! So neat! Love how you passing the message through the cupcakes! ;) great job Jean...very well said.

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  9. Teehee like the other commenters above, I like the T in your message :) I'm not eligible to vote, but the atmosphere at the rallies makes me feel like Singaporeans have lots to be proud of :)

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  10. Love the "O" and the "T"! =D. I was at WP's first rally in Hougang and for the first time, I felt truly Singaporean. Like many people, I was holding back tears as I watched Mr Chiam's speech on youtube. Yes, vote wisely!

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  11. I think I would just about kill for one of those right now!

    Papacheong
    http://home-cook-dishes-for-family.blogspot.com/

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  12. hey all! thanks for ur compliments! i
    cut out the wordings n symbols on baking paper n did these....so they're kinda messy. left out the 4 rings underneath SPP's logo as well
    cos too advanced level to cut haha

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  13. hi jean, i heard from my friends in singapore that the election this time is rather intense and i didnt know that the govt give angpows too!wow, that's early for the aspiring bakers submission!

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  14. Jean... well said ^_^

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  15. I was at Serangoon stadium too.. Haha what an innovative way to reach out to voters. Good!

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