Basketball Cuppies (Chocolate chip caramel)

My preschooler’s friend had his 5^th birthday party on Sunday and I wanted to make cupcakes for him… The party is at the coolest venue space for boys (& girls & moms & dads, lol)- the Brooklyn Nets Practice Facilities. We got to play basketball, etc. with the actual equpment the big guys use- so fun! With a basketball theme, I wanted to slam dunk with basketball cuppies.

The flavoring I went with was chocolate chip cupcakes with caramel frosting… To make the basketball look, I used black licorice lace (an acquired taste I have not acquired, ha ha!)

Mini Vanilla~Mini Chocolate Chip Cupcakes 

with Caramel Frosting

from Gourmet January 2004

1 c a-p flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 c whole milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 TBSp unsalted butter, softened

1/2 c plus 1 tablespoon sugar

1 large egg

1/2 c mini chocolate chips

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups with liners. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, & salt in a bowl. Stir together milk & vanilla in a small bowl. 

Reserve a TBSp of this mix & combine with the mini chocolate chips in a small, separate bowl.

Beat together butter & sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4mins . Add egg & beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and milk mixtures alternately in batches, beginning & ending with flour & mixing until just combined. 

 

Fold in the mini chocolate chips (mixed with the flour to prevent sinkage.)

Divide batter among muffin cups, filling them two-thirds full, & bake until tops are pale golden & a wooden pick or skewer inserted in centers comes out clean, about 15 mins. Invert cupcakes onto a rack & cool completely. 

 

The recipe says it yields 24 mini cupcakes, but I actually got 36 out of it!

Caramel Frosting

 adapted from Redbook

• 1 c (packed)light  brown sugar
• 6 TBAp unsalted butter
• 1/3 c  milk
• 1 pinch  salt
• 1 3/4 c confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

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In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, milk & salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium & boil 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool completely. Stir in confectioners' sugar & vanilla; beat until smooth & thick enough to spread on cupcakes.

Decoration~ Used black licorice lace to make the basketball lines! 

My boys- Gabriel is a future Basketball star!