Pancakes in the morning. Ice Cream every other Sunday from Dairy Queen. Animal humane society visits. After school reading. Nature walks. Kite flying. Watching scary movies together. Poking fun at Grandma. Doing math homework. Making sandwiches. Watching America’s Most Wanted. Cooking fried chicken. Going to the State Fair.
Those are some of my favorite memories with my Dad.
He was special. No, actually he was more than that… He was extraordinary.
One of my favorite pictures, my Dad and I at the Minnesota State Fair
My Dad had bright blue eyes, a big smile, and a voice that could fill any room.
He was the type of person who loved getting up early in the morning, just so he could enjoy the day longer. The type of person who knew to enjoy the sunlight and appreciate every hour, every moment.
In my eyes, he could do anything. He could fix my brakes, paint my room, bake the best yellow cake, give advice on life, and even make me laugh in my worst moments.
Four years ago on August 29th, 2007, I lost my Dad. A day that I never knew was coming until I got a phone call. I’ll never forget it.
But, I’ll also never forget how much he influenced me and made me the person I am today. How much he is still present in my life.
I think of him often and miss him. I wish he could have seen me graduate college, begin my career, and even this blog. I know he would have been proud.
And so I bake. I bake for the memories. I bake for joy. I bake to soothe my soul.
I bake for you Dad.
Dad always loved a classic yellow cake with chocolate.
Bake these. Say I love you with them. Say Happy Birthday with them. Say thank you with them.
They’re extraordinary cupcakes, for something or someone extraordinary.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Dad's Extraordinary Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- Chocolate Ganache:
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup of chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon of fresh coffee
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners. You can also double the recipe to make a 9 x 13 pan cake or 24 cupcakes.
- Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Put aside for later.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Next add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing until smooth. Pour batter into cupcake liners, do not fill more than halfway. You may have extra mix left over.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 23-27 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out nearly all the way clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Makes about 12 cupcakes.
- For the ganache: put the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and coffee in a microwavable bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring each time until melted. Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache.
39 comments
Nicely written tribute to your dad. Butter cake and chocolate are an awesome combo-thanks for sharing.
I love this post, Moniqued. Absolutely beautiful. And I will make the cupcakes. PS – I miss my dad, too.
Such a sweet post, and a wonderful tribute to your Dad. Good ones make all the difference in the lives of their children. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate mine!
Excellent thoughts
So wonderful. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us. What a special man, and he left a legacy in a very special daughter. Beautiful post.
As the tears fall on my face as I write this…… I miss your Dad my brother so much dear, only you know this feeling. He would be so proud of you, or should I say he is so proud of you as am I. Keep up the great job your doing in your life. Love Matt
Thanks 🙂
This is such a great post. I also lost my dad around that time..I cook for him daily. 🙂 Love your blog!
I just found your blog and am ambitiously anticipating trying to make gluten free versions of some of the amazing mouth watering sweets recipes you've posted~ and I can't wait to try the enchilada recipe! I just came across the tribute to your Dad. I lost my Dad a little over a year ago…I'm a writer by trade and one day, I hope that I can write as warm and loving and genuinely reach through the computer to your soul warming a tribute to my own father. I still cry to much when I try to get to hitting Enter… but one day. Thank you for sharing all that you do on you blog… so glad I found it.
I seem to be having an AWFUL time of editing my OWN FB posts today!!!!!!!!! that would be TOO much!
What a heart-felt post from a loving daughter. I will definitely make your dad’s yellow cupcakes!
Thanks for sharing us the happy pictures with your father. What’s that tattoo he has on his right arm?
Also, thanks for the website. It will help to make another Dad happy on his combined birthday/Father’s Day BBQ. I almost NEVER cook but I’m making the Spicy Sweet Potato Fries with Blueberry Ketchup for my dad. I think even a non-cook can handle that.
Just found your lovely and touching tribute to your dad – such a poignant reminder to honor our dads in deed and memory daily !
I had no idea Monique! I am not sure how I missed it, but I am so sorry for your loss and at such a young age. Brought tears to my eyes to read this. Big reminder to take nothing for granted in this life. xo
Help! You list 1 egg in the ingredients but the directions say otherwise. Which is correct? I’m in the middle of making these cupcakes so hope you see this right away. Thank you!
1 egg is correct!
That’s what I went with! Whew! 🙂 Thanks!
Hi, this is a nice recipe. Your dad sounded like a fabulous man and father. You might want to tell in the directions when to add the vanilla. Thanks!
Thanks for the catch, Kathryn!
These cupcakes are delicious! I’ve made them twice recently for my dad and he loves them!
So happy to hear that! One of my absolute favorite desserts <3
Hello! I just put the cupcakes in the oven and then I realized I didn’t add the vanilla because it still needs to be added to the directions. Please! Thank you!
Thanks for the catch! Updated.
Hi! How long do I bake if I double and do two 8” round cakes?
Hi Michelle! Great question – I haven’t tried it but start with 20 minutes, they may need longer!
I made this recipe for my husband’s birthday and it was a hit
Amazing! So happy to hear that.
Great recipe! Shouldn’t be so hard to find a good cupcake recipe but this one was great! I will definitely be sharing this one with others!
Glad you loved it!
Can I omit the coffee from the ganache?
Yep!
I made this as a two tiered cake for my mom’s birthday and it was fantastic! She said it was the best cake she’s ever had. Now my dad wants it for his birthday, but he wants it as a chocolate cake. Is there a way to convert this recipe to a chocolate cake? Thank you!
So glad it was a hit! But sadly no, this is for yellow cake!
Literally the best vanilla cupcake I have made. Perfect, thank you!
Aw YAY thank you!! So happy you loved these!
Can I add Greek yogurt to this recipe? If so, how much should I add?
I haven’t tried adding Greek yogurt, but you could. You could try starting with 1/4 cup but you might need to adjust the baking time a bit!
I’m no baker and these were super easy!! I made a double batch and got 24 cupcakes but I did not double the ganache and still had some leftover. My son happily helped make this recipe and I’m looking forward to use it for the future!
So happy to hear that!