Football and Cupcakes

It isn't the first Sunday in February without guacamole.

Here are the cupcakes I made for the Superbowl, but perfect for Valentine's Day, if you're in to that:

Cupcake Batter, adapted from Woman's Day

3/4 c. all purpose flour
1/3 unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. unsalted butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. sour cream

Place 16 foil cupcake liners on a tray, or line 16 muffin cups with paper liners. Spray liners with cooking spray.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Blend the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl, set aside. Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. Blend in the eggs one at a time. Add the sour cream and vanilla, then flour and mix for a minute on medium speed.
Place two generous tablespoons of batter in each liner, and bake for 18 minutes. Cupcakes are done when the tops are dry, and spring back when touched.
Top with a dollop of frosting and garnish with a chocolate covered cherry.

Cherry Whipped Cream Frosting
8 oz. sour cream
1 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar
2 Tbsp. maraschino cherry juice
8 oz. whipping cream

Whip the sour cream, confectioner's sugar and cherry juice in a food processor. With the machine running, add the cream. It won't need long (a minute or so) to firm up, and running the machine too long will result in butter, so watch it carefully.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

16 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
1/2 c. chopped semisweet chocolate
2 Tbsp. shortening

In a microwavable bowl (I used a Pyrex measuring cup), melt chocolate and shortening for 45 seconds. Stir, and repeat. Let the residual heat finish melting any solid chocolate, then stir to smooth it out. Dip the cherries in the chocolate (I did three coats for extra coverage, since the chocolate didn't readily stick), and put them on a wax paper lined tray to set up. They can be refrigerated in a covered container for 24 hours.

Also, a bonus of Felix, hosting the chips and salsa portion of Game Day.