Cake. Inspired.

Hot Cocoa Cupcakes Perfect for a cool winter evening in front of a warm crackling fire. I think the magic is in the brown sugar and buttermilk, it sets this recipe apart from all others.  The coffee of course helps with the chocolate flavor but the buttermilk and brown sugar are the stars of this show.   1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 C vegetable oil 1 C  strong brew coffee 1 1/2 C cup flour 3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder 1 C brown sugar 1 C sugar 1 1/2 tea baking soda 1/2 tea salt 2 eggs 1/2 C buttermilk 1 1/2 tea Mexican vanilla Place all dry ingredients in a bowl and sift together well.  Set aside. Cream butter, sugars, and oil.  Add eggs one by one until blended. Add sugar mixture to dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Bake at 350 for 9 minutes  (check at 9 minutes and adjust accordingly)

Homemade Egg Nog This was a holiday tradition growing up and I love it still today.  This recipe is ALCOHOL FREE (yeah, we are Mormon) but tastes like heaven. 6 eggs 1/2 C sugar 1 tea vanilla 1 lg box vanilla pudding mix 1/2 heavy cream 4 C milk cinnamon fresh nutmeg Place everything in a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve with a little nutmeg sprinkled on top.

Mele Kalikimaka

Gingerbread Mug Huggers are the best thing since sliced bread!  Its gingerbread on the side of a mug containing yummy hot chocolate... it just doesn't get any better.   Ever.