I have been away from my blog and twitter for what seems like forever, but in reality, it’s only been a little over a week. A rough week, a sad week…keeping a long story short, our two and a half year old Maltese pup, Lola passed away unexpectedly last Monday.
Lola was a happy, loving, loyal pet and the best buddy to our male Morkie, Henry. We are all having a difficult time dealing with our loss and miss Lola dearly. It is truly amazing to me the bond that us humans can have with our four-legged babies, but it’s a bond I will never be without. In my opinion, pets can be one of the most pure forms of unconditional love you can ever experience and we were blessed to have Lola in our lives.
Needless to say, I wasn’t really into baking or cooking the last week, but I did manage to make some cupcakes. After they baked, I was contemplating how to frost them and decided to make them white and fluffy looking…just like Lola. This may seem a tad bit odd, but at the time, it offered me a bit of comfort, so I went with it! I topped them with traditional cream cheese frosting then tossed on some shredded coconut. These last minute Lola inspired cupcakes, turned out to be quite a tasty combination. Thanks so much for stopping by, have a fabulous day and if ya have a pet, be sure to give them some extra lovin today!
Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients for the Cupcakes
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1-2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups water
Method
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl; beat on high speed of mixer 3 minutes. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture, beating until blended. Add candy, if desired. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
(If making cupcakes, divide the batter into cupcake pans lined with paper liners and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Batter will yield approximately 24 cupcakes.)
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (8) ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Using a mixer, blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Spread cream between layers and on top of cake. Top with shredded coconut if desired.
Notes: The cupcake recipe is adapted from hersheys.com
The dark brown cupcake liners are from bakeitpretty.com
{ 67 comments… read them below or add one }
So sorry to hear of your loss and I know it is a great loss. I am sitting here typing with a cat on my lap. We have 5 pets in our home and the love is great. Your Lola cupcakes are a beautiful tribute to a lovely pup.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember when I lost my Zoe (a zillion years ago now) and it was heartbreaking. My thoughts are with you.
ps. The cupcakes look delish
aw so sorry to hear of the passing of your sweet dog. I love your cupcakes though, they do look fluffy like her
hope you feel better!
I’m sorry about Lola. having lived my entire life with dogs, I know how hard it is to lose one, especially when it’s unexpected. I think these Lola cupcakes are a great tribute and I’m sure she appreciates it.
I’m sorry to hear about Lola. It is sweet of you to pay tribute to her through cupcakes.
I’m sorry to hear about Lola as well. She was a beautiful dog! My thoughts are with you.
I’m so sorry about Lola. Thinking of you. <3
Oh no
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have a maltese as well, I can’t imagine loosing him.
Oh, man – I know what you’re going through – I lost my 16 year old dog this winter : http://tinyurl.com/yanpjf6 and I had to take a week off of posting. It’s still hard – every day I miss her. Your Lola looks like such a sweetie. We love our dogs, don’t we? And boy, I do love some chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! These look fabulous.
So sorry for your loss. Dogs really are man’s best friend. The cupcakes look great!
I am so sorry about Lola. I have a Tibetan Terrier that we would be lost without, so I can imagine how you are feeling. Baking is a good way to deal with “stuff”. I think the cupcakes are perfect!
Until 19 days ago I never really understood how devastating the loss of a pet can be, and then we lost our briard pup, Remy, suddenly. I still cry every single day at least once. After the first few days, I too turned the oven on and got baking. Its great therapy.
Hope you are feeling happier soon.
Kate
Sorry about Lola. Hugs! The cupcakes look perfect!
I am so sorry about Lola. It is going to take time to heal from it. Unless you’ve had a dog it’s hard to really understand the connection. They become so much a part of our families that when they are gone, there is a piece of the family gone too. Take care of yourself during this tough time.
Nothing can prepare for the unexpected loss of a pet, a pet is one we love dearly and losing a pet hurt. I’m sorry for your loss and pain and pray that your family recovery soon. Hears to Lola memories forever locked in your heart.
Oh, Jamie. I’m so sorry for the loss that your family has suffered. Hope you are doing okay!
So sorry to hear about the sudden loss of your sweet pup. Happy to see you back.
Blessings to you as you remember your little family member.
I’m sorry to here about your loss. I have a 5 year old cat, a tabby (5 in april) and I love him to death. Your cupcakes are beautiful and your reason for making them shows how we can have extraordinary loyal and loving connections to our pets. Thanks for your beautiful pictures and you have my sincerest condolences.
Jonathan
So sorry to hear about sweet Lola. I just love the picture you posted of her, it reminds me of my maltese pup I had growing up. It was such a sad time when I had to let her go as well. Dogs truly are such loving and genuine companions! These cupcakes are precious!
So sorry to hear about your loss…Lola was just too cute & I know so well the bond between our four legged friends and ourselves (being that I work in the veterinary field and have my own little group of “fur babies” at home too)! Your cupcakes are such a sweet tribute to your little companion! Sympathies to you and your family!
I’m so sorry to hear about Lola (great name!) She will not be forgotten with these wonderful cupcakes
Im really sorry for your loss!!
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My husband and I actually just lost our Maltipoo 2 weeks ago. He was 1.5 years old. He was hit by a car while chasing a rabbit. I have never been more heartbroken. I miss him so much and think about him daily. It was harder losing ‘Peanut’ than it was having a miscarriage just 2 months ago. My husband and I have been going through infertility treatment for 2 years so Peanut was our only BABY!!
I am an avid reader of your blog and have started my own by influence from you. I enjoy reading and making many of your ‘masterpeaces’ and I am IN LOVE with food. If you visit my web blog…you will see why (Food is my life…I am a Registered Dietitian working with cancer patients in the mid west). Keep the recipes coming!
Cupcakes look delicious and I am sorry about your dog….:( very sad…keep baking, it is therapy!!
So sorry to hear about Lola. They really do become members of the family just like any human would and it’s always heartbreaking to see them go. I’m sure she was very loved in her short life. These cupcakes look like a fitting tribute and I would really like to eat one
I am so sorry to hear about your sweet dog. I have been there and it isn’t a fun place to be.
Your cupcakes look amazing, such a nice tribute!
Jamie I totally know how you feel. We got a Maltese when I was 13 and she lived to the ripe old age of 15 when she could last no longer. The day she died, I remember phoning my mum from Paris where I was living, speaking to my dad in Sydney and my sister in Singapore and we were all just in floods of tears. Even though I wasn’t there, in a way it was worse. My mum just got another Maltese a few years ago but it took her a good 8 years to be able to feel ok with loving another animal. Am giving my Burmese cat an extra big hug today in tribute to Lola’s life. Hugs xoxo
I had a german sheperd borther and when I lost him i was decastated, and yes, i considered him my brother, my canine brother, they really are one more in the family and when they are gone, a piece of us leaves withe them, bless them…
Well done fo r the cakes! cheers from london
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Lola. Animals seem to make their way into our hearts and stay there forever. Never forgotten. I am sure you have read the “Rainbow Bridge” poem but in case you have not get ready for a good cry and read it over. I am a believer you will see your Lola again but for the time being enjoy the memories of your precious pup. A life ended too early but she gave you joy and you gave her the same. My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry for the loss of your pup. I wish you peace. I love to think of my gone babies in a big expanse of green grass, where there are no bad dogs and no mean cats, chasing squirrels and waiting till their owners join them. If you can find it, a great book, even though written for children, is Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant, and this healing poem:
http://www.rainbowbridge.com/Poem.htm
I can’t begin to explain how sorry I am for your loss. I celebrated my first year with my dog Lucy just the other day, and since she’s my first dog ever, I can’t even imagine ever being without her now, but I know that it is inevitable that I will. I know Lola lived a wonderful life and you were blessed to have her in yours. You are so right about that unconditional love. It’s so pure. My thoughts are with you right now. xoxoxoxo.
So sorry for your loss. Lola looks like she was a sweetheart. Hugs
Oh my gosh…I’m SO very sorry. I can’t even imagine…. These cupcakes are such a sweet tribute to Lola- she looks like she was an absolute joy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family this week!
I’m sorry to hear about Lola, Jamie.
~ingrid
What an adorable source of inspiration! These cupcakes turned out beautifully
I know how it feels, I’m so sorry to hear this. I send you lots of hugs!
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your doggie! The loss of a pet is so hard. It’s amazing how attached we get to them. These cupcakes look wonderful. What a sweet tribute.
So sorry to hear about your sweet Lola.
Hugs to you. These cupcakes are a great tribute to her!
We had a Maltese that passed away two years ago. It was very hard on my kids which is why I just haven’t been able to get another dog yet. Those cupcakes are a perfect tribute. Love them.
I’m so sorry, sweetie. What a lovely – and sweet – tribute.
xoxox
Oh no. I am so sorry to hear. No loves as unconditionally as a pet, especially dogs. I will make sure to give my some extra lovin today in memory of Lola. These cupcakes are an awesome tribute. They look just perfect.
Jamie, Lola cupcakes look divine & Lola is so adorable!
I am really sorry for your loss. I love this tribute to Lola.
can’t wait to try these, but the recipe indicates 9″ round pans – do you know how many cupcakes it makes (so what size cupcake pan I need) and do cupcakes bake for less time? Thanks…and condolences!
Sorry to hear of your loss !! I can’t imagine. Keeping you in my thoughts!
I was just thinking today how grateful I am for my 14-year-old cat, who is often cranky, but still loves a good cuddle. She has a chronic condition, so it’s one day at a time for us.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Now you’ll think of Lola everytime you sprinkle a little coconut on a dessert. How sweet.
I’m sorry for your loss and I’m going to go give Murray Dog a big hug and love right now.
Sorry to hear about the loss of Lola. I don’t know what I’d do without my puppy
Beautiful tribute.
So sorry to hear about your dog. Those cupcakes look beautiful and I can’t wait to try them out.
My heart breaks for you and the loss of Lola! We’ve had a Maltese in our family always (it’s just not ‘home’ w/out one) so I know the special bond with that beautiful breed!
I think your cupcakes, not only sound delicious, but are an awesome tribute to your pet!
Oh, I’m so sorry! Hang in there.
Queenie-
I have been reading your blog this morning with tears in my eyes. You to have found such a great support system with these wonderful bloggers. Thank you for loving little Lola!
-momma
These look SOOOO yummy!
http://cuppycakebakes.blogspot.com
I can’t imagine such a sudden loss. I’m sorry for what happened. Two and a half years just isn’t enough time…..
I am so sorry to hear about Lola – losing a pet is just terrible. My condolences.
really sorry to hear about Lola
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your cute little doggie. I know I would just be a mess if our pet died – *hugs*
so sorry for your loss…it is a very difficult time…our dear, beloved shetland sheepdog passed away unexpectedly & the loss was unbearable…
cherish the wonderful memories of your sweet lola…
For only two and a half years? Isn’t that too short for some puppy lovin? >: I understand the loss.. My two siamese cats were gone, both catnapped. It was worse than them passing away.. T_T
I’m sorry for your loss! You cupcakes look lovely, as does that photo of your Lola.
Jamie,
I read your blog every week, but have never posted a comment until now. I’d been wondering where you’ve been, and now I can see you’ve been through what I can only imagine as true heartbreak. I have two little loves myself, and I can’t imagine ever being without them. Lola – all white and fluffy- looks like she belongs up in the clouds where I’m sure she’s looking down on you and sending you big sloppy licks and lots and lots of love.
Miles and miles away, I’m thinking about you and hope you get through this. One thing’s for sure – I’ll be trying out your cupcakes very soon:)
So sorry to hear! Losing a pet is never an easy thing–but keep eating good treats like that and it might make it a bit easier!
Hello, I just read about your Lola pup and wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and your family. I have been following your blog, as have several of my coworkers at Sur La Table in Arizona and we all enjoy your writing and photography. I have a 12 year old Maltese named Jonah. The bond we have with our ‘dog children’ is nothing short of our human bonds and is the loss is just as difficult. Thank you for your blog, and my heart goes out to you.
I also have a 3 year old havanese named Bridget, also a terrific breed, very loving and active.
I’m very sorry for your puppy, Lola.
I would be really bummed if my puppy died..T.T
ANyways, I made your cupcakes, they came you AMAZING!
REallly good, simmple and EASY!
Thank you!
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your pup. Lola was adorable and I’m sure she had a great life with such a sweet owner
I’m very sorry to hear about your loss…i have a pup named Lola, too, which we got a little while after our last dog passed away. they are truly amazing animals with unconditional love.
My daughter’s name is Lola
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