Champagne Cupcakes with Champagne Buttercream

...So, could it GET any better?  Champagne cake from Nugget Market has been a family favorite of mine for well over 30 years.  Yup, I'm old enough to have favorites for that long a time.  I think I had my first taste in my teens, not long after we came back to California.  My grandmother, Bambi, probably picked it up on her way through "town" (AKA Woodland) on her way from Esparto to Davis.  I remember the pink whipped cream frosting and the custard middle.  Light, not too sweet, and lovely.  No problem eating 2 pieces.  Great memories! 

A few years ago, Nugget Market came to my town.  When they opened their doors, I finally felt at home.  I lived near a Nugget Market for years in Davis, and that's where Bambi shopped in Woodland for meats and fancy desserts.  Love those days.  Anyway, as good fortune would have it, I live, literally, down the street and around the corner from "The Nug" or "Nug" for short.  Not only was I now able to get amazing meats and stone oven bread (we NEED real bread here!), finally Champagne Cake whenever I wanted it!  Amazing!!


So, after a few years of tasting with family and friends, I decided to try it for my brother's bday dinner.  I think it's one of his favorite cakes, although my SIL's, Katie's, Red Velvet is hard to beat.  So, on to the internet search for a great recipe.  I found mine at Sprinkle Bakes, a great website with lots of yummies.  You'll see a few recipes on our blog from SB.  She's very cool.  This is the website and recipe:

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/12/sparkling-champagne-cupcakes.html

Here are the pretty pictures, one from Sprinkle Bakes:

One from my first attempt:

Please note: the use of Prosecco!  Yeah, Italian all the way, baby!  :)  I bought the processo at Nug, of course.  Had to ask the way-too-helpful booze "guy" what I should use as far as bubbly for making this cake.  Being at Nug, well of course, he knew exactly what I needed.  Yaaaaay for booze guy!  Also, note general theme and the use of SPRINKLES.  I'm getting hooked on those little colored dots.  I can't seem to bake a cupcake without those little things.  Also, I am so, so amazed at how CLEAN my counter looks.  ;)

So, these little guys were tested.  Some loved them, some thought the frosting a bit sweet.  I LOVED them!  For my brother's annual bday dinner, I made the same recipe, but made a cake with custard filling and used a whipped cream/pudding frosting variant.  He said he liked it, and he's one of my toughest and most encouraging critics.  Honesty runs in our family...

When I make this again it will be with fond memories of Bambi and my family. 

And, I highly recommend a glass of prosecco during the baking and one to enjoy with your cupcake...Both go down really smooth!

Pretty in pink.  Ellen

P.S. Booze guy gave me the 'go-ahead' to sip while baking.  He's a really nice booze guy...