I spent the morning baking 40 chocolate ganache cupcakes.

(p.s. once you go ganache, you don't go back)

One of Nathan's fellow manager's birthday was today and she loves chocolate.

what better way to say happy birthday to a chocolate lover than with chocolate, right?

Here's a little advice from me to you.

Next time you make chocolate (or any other flavor) cupcakes or cake, try it with ganache instead of the traditional store bought chocolate frosting (you know, the ones that taste like chocolate shortening....). It only takes a couple minutes to make. While you are waiting for the cake/cupcakes to bake try this:

2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, & a pinch of salt. pour in a medium sauce pan. bring to a slight boil (takes about 6-8 minutes) stirring with a whisk every few minutes. pour in 1lb ( 2 bags) of chocolate chips* and immediately remove from heat. wait a minute or two and then with a whisk stir the chocolate & cream together. YUM YUM! Transfer into a bowl.Then set it in the fridge until the cake/cupcakes are cooled. Stir it a couple times** and spread it on just like frosting. ENJOY!

(you can run a hot knife over the top of the frosted cake/cupcake to get the glossy look like mine above.)

*my favorite is ghirardelli bittersweet chips, but you can use any kind you like.

** if the ganache is a little too firm set it in the oven that is still warm from the cake/cupcakes for about 2 minutes and stir.