Getting Down & Dirty

As a child, did you ever play in the dirt? Lucky for me, I did! Before the backyard was given access through the side gate, there was a small area of dirt. Twice, my mother took a hose to this patch and made mud. I was given the opportunity to play in that mud, on purpose!

When Cupcake Hero called for a celebration of Earth Day, my first thought was to celebrate my mud days! I could not resist making a dirt cupcake. This could be made easier with a boxed cake mix and even by piping in chocolate pudding to the cupcake center.

When I shared these with some friends, I warned them that these are only for kids...kids at heart! Enjoy!

Dirt Cupcakes
Devil's Food Cupcakes
Dark Chocolate Ganache
6 chocolate cookies, crushed & 2 graham crackers, crushed; mixed together in a bowl
18 Sour gummy worms


Devils Food Cupcakes
Adapted From …Ooh You Tasty Little Things
Makes 18 cupcakes

1 1/3 cups of flour
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1 teaspoons of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
100 grams of butter
1 1/4 cups of sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 cup of boiling water

1. In a medium bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

2. In another bowl, beat together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add in the dry ingredients and boiling water. Beat just until blended, do not overmix.

3. Spoon batter into lined muffin cups until about 2/3 full. Bake at 350F for 9-12 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Note: I *really* liked this recipe for devil's food cake and plan to use it again.

Dark Chocolate Ganache
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

1 cup of heavy cream
250 grams of bittersweet chocolate, chopped finely

Heat cream in a small pan over the stove. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes, then stir with a whisk. Allow to cool.

Assembly
Cut a cone shape in the top of the cupcake. Fill with a bit of ganache, add a gummy worm (so it is partially sticking out!), and top with cone cutout (with a bit taken off the point if necessary). Frost with ganache, taking care not to frost the worm. With the frosted part of the cupcake held at an angle over the cookie crumbs, sprinkle the crumbs over the ganache, taking care that the ganache is covered with crumbs.

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Dirt Cupcakes are being served up for Cupcake Hero - Earth Day. Cupcake Hero was started by and is hosted by Laurie of Quirky Cupcake.