Chocolate Malt Cupcakes

I am no professional baker, cook, chef, etc. But when I saw these adorable Chocolate Malt cupcakes on a blog I follow, I knew I HAD to try them. I made them for Father's Day as my grandfather absolutely loves chocolate malts. The maltier the better! I followed the recipe for the cake exactly. The only thing I did different with the frosting was to add more malted milk and sprinkle crushed malted milk balls to the tops of my cupcakes. I didn't have the gorgeous soda fountain style straws the original recipe showed, so I just cut some regular red and white striped plastic straws and used them instead.

I'll be honest: I wasn't that impressed with the cake. With ingredients like sour cream, whole milk and brown sugar I figured they were going to be nice, heavy, moist cake. I was certainly wrong. However, I will say this: I used jumbo cupcake tins and wrappers so I had to adjust the baking time (maybe I left them in too long?). Also, it was incredibly humid. I'm talking condensation-on-the-wood-floors-so-your-bare-feet-squeak humid. I think the humidity affected the frosting and the malted milk balls more than anything else, but it could have been a factor with the cake as well. I did like the fact that the cake was not too sweet. 

The frosting, on the other hand, was to die for. I had left over frosting when I was through with my cupcakes, so I put it into a plastic container and threw it in the fridge. I ended up using it on brownies (boxed, shh don't tell!) as a way of dressing them up. They were ridiculously good and the frosting came right back to life from being in the freezer.  

If I made these again, I'd use this recipe for perfect chocolate cupcakes, but I would add the malted milk powder to them. I wouldn't change a thing about the way I made the frosting! If you live in a hot, humid climate: beware! This is a very touchy recipe! I am not sure how it would work if there was air conditioning involved as we have not turned ours on yet. If you try it, let me know how it turns out! 

Product Review: Kiehl's Abyssine Cream

I am really excited to share a product discovery I recently made. If you’ve been following me, you know I have been searching for (and finally found!) my perfect tinted moisturizer. Next up on my To-Do list was to find a regular, untinted, high quality and naturally based skin cream. If I shower in the evening and I’m not going out, I don’t like to put my tinted moisturizer on. I don’t need it staining my pillowcases and, while the one I use, (Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint) is mineral based, I still don’t want to put more on just to go to bed. 

This cream by Kiehl’s, however, is perfect. The way it works is with abyssine: a molecule derived from algae that was discovered in the Galapagos, very deep in the ocean near hypothermal ocean vents. Abyssine has a unique self-protectant ability that also helps other organisms to survive in harsh environments. 

It helps your skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, fighting free-radicals to help delay future damage and the aging process. I am nearly 25 years old and while I don’t have any deeply set wrinkles or spots yet, it’s something that I think about. Particularly in the summer when the sun is so strong and damaging. You all know I can’t stand a super heavy cream that sits on top of my skin and that I am prone to breakouts and irritation. This product did not cause any skin problems and it soaked in nearly right away. However, it seemed to “stick around” (ie, did not leave me feeling parched 10 minutes later) but under the skin. It did not seem to have a noticeably strong fragrance, just a light, neutral scent.

I really can’t think of anything bad to say about this cream. I love a good bargain, but I won’t compromise when it comes to things I rub into my skin. Kiehl’s Abyssine Cream costs $48 for a 1.69oz pot and I think it’s worth every penny. 

Overall Rating: A+

Where to Buy: www.kiehls.com