That's hawt

So, I actually took a photograph of something I baked! It's been so long. And I'm actually really happy with how these spiced chocolate cupcakes turned out.



Hoan, my foodie boyfriend, tried them and said they were really good. So I will take his word for it. Because his word agrees with mine. And I like when that happens.



They're topped with a vanilla buttercream, with some almond for good measure.

Also, I think I've discovered a baking preference of mine: minimal ingredients. There was a recipe for these same cupcakes that involved corn meal, flaxseeds, etc. and I thought it was a bit unnecessary. I feel that with so many ingredients, the whole thing becomes sort of artificial--like trying to replicate a flavor, or add characteristics to it that eventually turns it into something completely different, an impostor. Does that make sense?

Or maybe, this is just a rant of a poor college student. Baking is expensive! So cayenne and chocolate it is.