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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 Coconut 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
For the Frosting
2 (8) ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
For the Cupcakes
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.)
For the Frosting
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 dark brown cupcake liners are from bakeitpretty.com
adapted from hersheys.com
All images and text ©Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
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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!
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!
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
Hi Jonathan – coming to this blog quite late ! I know how hard the loss of a pet is, my furry feline joker and companion 5 year old tabby Louie Louie, died suddenly a year ago Mar 26th. So I am having a tree planting ceremony with some friends, also an excuse to celebrate the spring :) I though he was going to be around for a lot longer and I miss him every single day….so awful to lose Lola unexpectedly too.
All hail the spring and happy pets and cupcakes ! :)
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.
Oh, Jamie. I’m so sorry for the loss that your family has suffered. Hope you are doing okay!
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.
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.
Sorry about Lola. Hugs! The cupcakes look 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
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!