A Friendship Sweeter Than Cupcakes!

I met her five years ago. We had just finished  an introductory meditation session and like always we were chatting over home baked goodies, when I noticed her. She was sitting at the back, the glow of a good meditation apparent on her face. After introducing myself, I asked her, since it was her first time, if she had any questions? She held up the half eaten piece of the Chocolate Crunch Bar and with a twinkle in her eye, said, " Could you give me the recipe for this bar...it is awesome." Though I didn't know it then, our mutual interest in meditation and our shared passion for 'everything chocolate' were to be the key ingredients in a delicious friendship; a friendship sweeter than cupcakes...

So, why do I choose to write about it today? That's because it's her birthday today, and a very special one too, as she is about to enter a new decade!  I had been thinking about her big day, wanting to make something special for her...something that would compliment her love for cupcakes. (Did I mention that she has a real passion for cupcakes, and she loves to concoct new recipes with exotic, sometimes strange ingredients!)

So a few weeks ago, I set before myself, the task of making a "Cup Cake Server", looking toward my neighbor's fountain as a source of inspiration.

It was to be a five piece project. Three bases like the one in the picture, made in varying sizes...

...and two collars which would attach to the two smaller bases.

Glazed and almost ready...the three stackable pieces of the cup cake server.

Cup Cake Server stacked and ready...

But wait!! What about the cupcakes? One can't possibly  present a 'Cup Cake Server' without cupcakes!  I used my favorite, chocolate pound cake recipe to make the basic cupcakes. But these needed to be special...

So I cut a section out, and made a little well...

...which I then filled with a dollop of a delicious chocolate mousse. (Courtesy: Joe pastry's  Chocolate Mousse  http://www.joepastry.com/category/desserts-and-cookies/chocolate-mousse/)

I used some of the cake that I had cut off previously to seal up the secret filling...

...and then I frosted it with a Dark Chocolate Ganache.

That should satisfy any chocoholic!

But just cupcakes on a stand? No, it had to be fancier than that! So I also made Dark Chocolate Cake Balls, Dark Chocolate-Almond Biscotti and Madeleines (for a variation in taste and color) and the surprise was finally ready to be delivered!!!

       HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND!!!!!!!