It sort of looks like I'm turning this into a food blog lately. It's not my intent but I just haven't had any other decorating things to blog about lately. I have a new project I'll be working on this weekend. It's something wonderful that I just found at the thrift store! Hopefully I'll be able to share it with you soon! Anyway, when it was mega-hot last weekend I decided to try my hand at making chocolate shells. Remember when I made my fondant seashells awhile back? I used that same mold only this time I used melted white and semisweet chocolate. I melted the chocolate in the microwave. After you pour it in the mold you have to pop it in the freezer for a bit before you can unmold it. They turned out great and they taste a lot better than the fondant.
I had all these chocolate shells so then of course I had to bake something to use them on. It was too hot last weekend to bake so I did these on Monday night when it had cooled down a bit and I brought them into work yesterday. Everyone loved them! You're probably wondering why I took these photos outside...it was before 7:00 am and there just wasn't enough light in my apartment to get a good picture of them.
I used white cake mix that I bought at the cake decorating store. Then I made up some chocolate-almond whipped cream to fill the inside. I used Pastry Pride which is a non-dairy cream you whip up. I added some Hershey's Chocolate Syrup to it and some almond extract. After the cupcakes cooled I inserted a special filling tip into the top of the cupcake and then you just squeeze the pastry bag and it fills it up inside. Chocolate cream-filled cupcakes are just so over-the-top! 
For the top I made chocolate ganache and then topped it with my chocolate seashells. I had a couple people tell me it was the best cupcake they ever had! And see those little lacey cupcake wrappers...I made those with doilies from the dollar store. I have to thank Mo from Mo's Cottage...she showed how to make these fancy cupcake wrappers on her blog! I think I made mine too short though!Chocolate Ganache
1 Tbsp. butter
1 oz. sugar
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
Heat heavy cream, butter and sugar a saucepan. Stir frequently and bring the mixture to a boil.
Set chocolate in a stainless steel bowl. Pour hot heavy cream mixture over the chocolate. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to melt the chocolate.
44 comments:
Oh my gosh...those cupcakes look soooo good.....and the shells just top them off....It looks like the doily you used is a bit to small....use the next size up and it should fit great....I think mine were about 10 inches round or so....you were so sweet to mention me on your blog today....
Hugs,
Mo ;-)
Hi there. I very much enjoy visiting here as I just know I'm going ro see something inspiring :o) Delicious as these cakes look, I wont be baking them as I'm allergic to cocoa. The silliest allergy in the world, perhaps? LOL
They look positively SCRUMPTIOUS!!! You crack me up with the doilies...I love doilies, too! You really should open up your own shop!!!!
-Sheri
OMG they look sooooo good and I love those shells you make, they look so real and the doilies are like the icing on the cake, so pretty(;
Hugs~Kelly
Those shells look SO real & the cupcakes sound oooohhh sooooo yummy. Your co-workers are very lucky!!
~Sue~
OH! GAWD! Not only are they beautiful but they sound positively sinful with the filling.
I've been thinking about you a lot the past few days. You see, I'm in the process of emptying my china cabinet, wall unit, and curio cabinet of all the breakables so I can move furniture to paint. It's really a chore I hate worse than the painting. I couldn't help but think about all the breakables you have to pack up when you paint. I certainly do admire your motivation and energy, especially since you work full time.
These look divine! I love visiting your blog because you are so talented. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Next to decorating what's better than food! I think these look so delicious, one quick question...did you use the powdered sugars to color the shells? I can't tell by the picture.
Love the doily holders! Mary
Mary,
No, I didn't use the lustre dust on these.
I LOVE cupcakes, and yours look fabulous! Ganache' frosting!! Roses and chocolate, what else do you need?
Cheers!
Rita
WOW i just gained 10lbs looking at your cupcakes...I can almost taste them YUM YUM... Have a Blessed 4TH...
WOW, Cindy ~ those look amazing! You've achieved absolute perfection...Again:) I think I could handle creating the seashells, but the filling and frosting is so divine. I didn't question the outdoor setting ~ whatever you do is gorgeous. Yum
I have never seen seashells like that. I am a beach nut. I need to find those molds.
They are so cute. Thanks for sharing all the info.
Willow
I visited Mo!! Beautiful site!
The cupcakes look awesome. That mold has sure come in handy!
I have to try those darling cupcake paper wraps, how cute is that!
Ouuuuu those look yummy.
Too good to eat actually!
:-)
Hugz, Dolly
Oh, those cupcakes look wonderful and the recipe sounds delish! Your chocolate shells are so pretty and add a lovely, special touch.
looks like something you would pay alot of money for in a bakery! They look to pretty to eat. Love how you mixed the chocolates to come out looking just like sea shells! Great job! JennGlamGirl
These look soo good!! I now will have to have some chocolate! lol. They turned out so pretty too! Love the seashells.
Hugs to you,
~Victoria~
Goodness! my mouth is watering. Would I love to have one.
OH MY GOODNESS! Those shells look so real when I first looked at the pic I thought "OK, this lady is getting a wee bit crazy to put REAL shells on her cupcakes!" haha
Oh My! They look wonderful and sound delicious. The shells look real!
Glenda
Wow Cindy, they look wonderful! The shells look real, but I'm sure taste much better. Thanks for sharing!
~Michelle
Girl...you are so talented! What can't you do? lol. Thank you for the info this morning on the wood appliques. I have my hutch already primed!
~Patti
These are beautiful and look so yummy! You are so talented!
Jane
The shells are so cute!! Where did you get the mold? The whole cupcake thing looks extraordinary and yummy!
Is there nothing that you can't do?!!? Those are gorgeous! I can't wait to try the recipe!
xoxo
Sara
www.shinyredhouses.blogspot.com
OMG. Is there NO end to your domestic talents? You should get your own show.
You don't by any chance have any leftovers LOL????
If I were to eat one (or more)of those cupcakes, it defiantly would be on your back patio.
Yummy!
Those look amazing, and I just love the doily as a cupcake holder.
Oh be still my heart & hand me a cupcake! These look amazing!
I was dying for a rootbeer float yesterday - you're killing me Cindy! ☺ Diane
Cindy,
Thank you for sharing, those look delicious! I want to try the frosting and I loved the idea for the doilies! Have a fabulous 4th! Blessings, Victoria Lynn
I just LOVE those shells!!!!!
m ^..^
Don't mind the "food blog" especially when they are so delicious.
Beautiful Cindy!
Hey I like treats like this. Guilt and calorie free. Pretty upclose up shot too.
Cindy, these are beautiful! I had chocolate shells and starfish on my wedding cake and seeing your beautiful ones reminded me of my wedding cake!
Happy Thursday!
LuLu~*xoxo
Hi Cindy,
I've just returned from vacation so I'm busy catching up on your blog. ( I have to admit to being very tempted to sneak a peek while on vacation, but decided to go cold-turkey from the internet while in New York.) :-)
Those cupcakes look wonderful. Honestly, you amaze me!! I wish I had even half your talent.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
YUM!
I must have something chocolate... now!
Your home is beautiful!
Happy 4th!
Yummy...I'll take one.
Or two!
Oh Cindy, those cupcakes look divine. I can hardly wait to try the recipe..
Happy 4th!
Jo-Anne
Cindy,
Oh my gosh...you are the most amazing co-worker ever...really!!
Hugs, Nerina :0
Now those.....they look sooooooo good!!
They look so yummy!
Not only are those beautiful to look at, they sound wonderful. TFS
I am hosting a Christmas in July Tablescape Party at my Playing Dishes blog. There will be one held each Saturday this month. Please come and participate or at least visit. A holiday tablecloth will be given away on the last Saturday, July 25. Info on signups is available by clicking my sidebar memes available on both my blogs.
I am also having a weekly Christmas giveaway at my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog. Weekly entries are closed out a midnight on Wednesday for this.
Hopefully some of you tablescape regulars will pull together a tablescape for CIJ or pull out some photos from last year to post.
Happy CIJ!
Cindy, Oh, the chocolate shells are wonderful. You have inspired me to try something similar soon! Charming!! Blessings, Cindy
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