Mario Bosquezs Mexican Chocolate Icing Food

DOUBLE FEATURE CUPCAKES WITH MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard cupcake pan with liners.
• To prepare the cupcake batter: In a large heat resistant bowl, combine the chocolate and butter over a pot of simmering water, without letting the bottom touch the water. Stir gently until melted and well combined. You may use a microwave, if preferable.
• Remove chocolate from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the sugar. Beat with a handheld electric mixture until smooth and combined, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing for 20 seconds between each egg to incorporate.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well blended.
• Using ladle or small measuring cup, fill the cupcake cups 2/3 of the way full. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cup and press down slightly. Bake until the cupcakes are firm to the touch about 20 minutes.
• To prepare the frosting: Using a handheld electric beater, cream the cream cheese and butter together thoroughly. Add the chili power and cinnamon, mixing to incorporate. Add the salt, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar. Finally, mix in the melted chocolate and blend thoroughly until smooth. If additional thickening is needed, add more sifted confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, until a spreadable consistency is reached.

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the chocolate cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
• Mix the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, chipotle powder, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl until blended. Add the oil, milk, vanilla and eggs and beat with an electric mixer until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Cool on a rack 10 minutes, then invert the pans to remove the cakes and cool completely.
• For the cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined and smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until the frosting is very smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Spoon 2 cups of the frosting onto the top of one cake layer and smooth evenly with an offset spatula. Top with the second layer. Spoon just enough frosting on top to make a thin but even coating of frosting on top and all along the sides of the cake; it is okay if this frosting gets messy and full of crumbs. Freeze the cake until the frosting is firm, about 10 minutes.
• Spoon the remaining frosting onto the cake and smooth evenly over the entire cake with the offset spatula. Dust lightly with cocoa powder and serve.

MARIO BOSQUEZ'S MEXICAN CHOCOLATE ICING

Steps:

• Combine margarine, cocoa, and milk in saucepan. Heat until bubbles form around edge. Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla and nuts. Add the confectioners' sugar to taste. Slowly pour over cake.

MARIO BOSQUEZ'S MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine margarine, oil, cocoa, and water in sauce pan. Heat until cocoa is melted.
• Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla in a large bowl. Combine with first mixture.
• Pour batter into a greased 12-by-18-inch cake pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Five minutes before the cake is done, prepare the icing. Let cake cool before you add the icing.
• Addtional notes from Mario: Baking in a ceramic baker is best; serve from the bake pan and after you ice your cake encircle the edge of the cake with pecan halves.

MARIO BOSQUEZ'S CORN PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Bring cream cheese to room temperature or soften in microwave on low setting for a few minutes. Do not overheat.
• Remove all of the corn from the ears and be sure to scrape down the sides so that you get all of the juice from the cob. Beat the eggs and add the rest of the ingredients together and incorporate well.
• Pour into a small glass or metal baking dish and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. You may want to insert a toothpick into the center to be sure that it comes out clean. Cut into small pieces and serve as a side dish.
• Addtional notes from Mario: In my experience, making this pudding with butter instead of margarine makes for a more delicious version.