SMB

What could possibly be worth this ...


or this?


I will tell you.

[with milk chocolate filigree hearts]


[naked]

Chocolate hazelnut-scented cupcakes with chocolate hazelnut swiss meringue buttercream.

Oh. My. Goodness.

But Emily, I thought you couldn't eat cupcakes? They're gluten-free, my friend. And while the buttermilk cocoa cupcakes are soft and delicious all by themselves, I've topped them with the most silky, rich, creamy whipped cocoa buttercream with just the subtle tease of hazelnuts.

I've been wanting to make swiss meringue buttercream (SMB) for a while now. I was intimidated. But it was so easy! And SO SO worth it. I can't wait to share them with my friends for my 3rd annual Ladies Chocolate Party tonight!

[Only now I've created 2 serious problems: 1) where to hide the cupcakes from the prying little hands of children, and 2) how to stop eating them all myself.]