Chocolate Cheesecake Frosting

When someone bites into a baked good that you made right in front of you, they are somewhat obligated to say they like it.  Unless the person is horribly cruel or the type of person with whom you can be brutally honest, there is only one response to that first bite: "This is great, thank you!"

Now don't get me wrong, I don't take issue with people having manners.  I'm glad this is the state of the world, because I don't think I could handle it any other way.  It just means that you never know if the compliment is genuine or forced.  John can attest that I sometimes question his "This is great" comments at dinner with "Really?  Are you sure you like it?"  From him I always want the truth.

This is why when someone asks me to bake something for a birthday, I take it as the highest compliment.  That's how you know they like what's coming out of your oven.  For Natalie's birthday a couple weeks ago, Mitch asked me to bake the dessert for her party.  Originally I was thinking a cake, but I decided on cupcakes since they are so much easier to eat standing around (and frankly, must easier to make).

Since these were the "official" cupcakes of the party, I figured it was high time I went out and bought pastry bags and tips for icing the cupcakes.  And hell, if I'm at Sur La Table already, I might as well buy some chocolate sprinkles.

Natalie's only request was cream cheese icing.  I iced half the cupcakes with standard cream cheese icing and for the second half I decided to make chocolate cheesecake frosting.  It still had the cream cheese, but with a hefty dose of cocoa it is transformed into chocolate cheesecake.

Who doesn't love chocolate and who doesn't love cream cheese icing?  Find me this person and I will gladly stuff their face with this frosting.

This icing is so good that I promise you won't be questioning anyone's compliments.  All praises will definitely be genuine.

Chocolate Cheesecake Frosting
From How Sweet It Is

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
(1-2 tablespoons of milk, if needed)

Beat butter and cream cheese together in a stand mixer until well combined.  Stir in vanilla until incorporated.  On low speed, mix in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time.  Beat in cocoa powder, increasing the speed to make sure everything is well combined.  If too thick, mix in milk 1 teaspoon at a time.  If too thin, add in additional sugar.  Use to top your favorite cake or cupcakes!