winter = chocolate cupcakes + oreo cheesecake truffles

It's winter and I'm not leaving the house. I'll leave the partying and frolicking in the snow to everyone else. Today, I'm hibernating in my kitchen with chocolate. I'm putting on my coziest socks and pjs and baking up a storm.

Chocolate Cupcakes (Recipe from Allrecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs 1 cup strong brewed coffee 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.	In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center.
3.	Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into cupcake tins.
4.	Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack. Fill and frost as desired.

Oreo Cheesecake Truffles (Recipe from Allrecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided 1 (8 ounce) package Cream Cheese, softened

2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi -Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2.	Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3.	Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

Is there anything more comforting than a warm kitchen, heavy with the scent of chocolate?

k.