Mocktail Hour

It's NEW YEARS EVE!  Are you having a party to ring in the new year?

This is one of my favorite non-alcoholic champagne recipes. It's festive, it's light and it's for you and your kids tonight. And did I mention how bored I am of Martinelli's.

1 litter ginger-ale
22 oz pineapple juice
32 oz white grape juice

Double or triple the recipe.  Mix and chill.  Drink and Enjoy.

My suggestion is to serve in a carafe vs. a punch bowl.   It's easier and more elegant for pouring, wherever your guests may be.

To add variety, pick up some good (emphasis in good!) grenadine and make Shirly Temples and Roy Rogers. A twist on the traditional Soda.  Dirty Doctor Peppers will also make your guest fall in love with soda again.  At least it did for me.

The Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

My love affair with watching America's Test Kitchen (otherwise known as ATK) has significantly increased my waistline and taken 30 minutes out of each of my Saturday mornings.  Only because I now distinguish between the run of the mill products, methods and recipes and the superb, life changing, scream for more goodness than I ever have before.  Maybe I've been forced into public television (it's on PBS folks) and there are better shows on cable networks but I can without a doubt say I subscribe to ATK and some of the recipes I've tried have put me over the top in my convictions.  Below is one you must try.  I repeat, YOU MUST TRY.  If not, come over to my house and I'll whip up a batch.  I need someone there so that I don't devour all 12 of these little devils in one sitting. 

CHOCOLATE CREAM CUPCAKES

(click here for complete instructions)

CUPCAKES

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup boiling water
1/3 cup cocoa powder

(don't use Hersheys!  Go for the good stuff.  It makes a tremendous difference)

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon instant espresso

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FILLING

3 tablespoons water

3/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin

4 tablespoon (1/2 stick) unsalted butter , softened
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups marshmallow créme

GLAZE

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

The complete recipe and Instructions can be found online here (email registration) and in Cooks Country  and the Best of Cooks Illustrated Magazines.