Beneath The Cookies and Cremains

To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of glad that Rio de Janiero beat out Chicago for the 2016 Olympics.
Since I work downtown, I can only imagine myself wading through the massive gobs of Hawaiian-Shirted, socks-with-sandals wearing, tourists who don't know enough to hang on to something BEFORE the L starts moving.
Plus, maybe now Brazil can have Sepultura play the opening ceremony!!

Sepultura is from Brazil and their name means "Grave" in Portuguese.
Not only have they released eleven albums so far, but they've changed a lot over the years. I'm a bigger fan of their early death metal stuff (Bestial Devastation/Morbid Visions), and their thrash stuff (Schizophrenia, Beneath The Remains, Arise). Today they're much more of a hardcore band. But don't get me wrong, they're still awesome!

To honor Sepultura, and to encourage the Brazillian government to book them for the opening Olympic ceremonies in 2016, I present to you:


Sepultura: Beneath the Cookies and Cremains







Metal Constituents

• 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
• 24 Oreo cookies, twisted open
  

For the Frosting:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup crushed Oreos
  

Merciless Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake tin with baking cups and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth.
4. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
   
6. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Mix just until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
8. Place 1/2 an Oreo cookie (cream side up) in the bottom of each baking cup.
9. Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.
   
10. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
    
11. To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend together butter, confectioners' sugar, and salt until creamy
12. Increase mixer speed to high and beat until light and fluffy
13. Add whipping cream and vanilla, beat until smooth
    
14. Fold in crushed Oreos
15. Spread on completely cooled cakes (the Oreo pieces clogged up my frosting gun).
16. Mortality, Insanity, Fatality, OREO-ality
    

Lord of Dessert

In case you didn't know it, Bejma is a Polish last name. My Dad's Grandpa moved to America from Poland, so did my Mom's Mom. Sadly, I've never been to Poland, but my love for the mother country is strong. Especially when it comes to golumpki, potato pancakes, pierogi, kapusta, czernina, chrusciki, and pączek.
I'm also a huge fan of Krzysztof Kieślowski.

But in terms of Polish death metal, no one can compare to Vader.
They've named themselves after Luke's father, because their music is just as dark and menacing. Although, none of them seem to have any breathing problems or a pasty, freshly-removed-band-aid type head (unfortunately).
They've been around since 1983, and I personally feel they are greatly underrated.

This cupcake recipe is based on a traditional Polish Plum Cake, and was inspired by the song "Lord of Desert."

Dedicated to Karolina Zaniesienko, one of my very favorite readers.

Vader: Lord of Dessert







Metal Constituents:

• 2 1/3 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 + 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 stick, plus 3 Tablespoons butter- room temperature
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  
• 6 fresh plums, pitted and cut into thin slices
  

For the glaze:

• 1 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 4 Tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Merciless Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a cupcake tin with baking cups, and set aside
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 3/4 cup sugar
4. Add 1 stick of butter, milk, eggs and vanilla
5. Beat at medium speed for 4 minutes
6. Pour about a 2 tablespoons of batter into baking cups, place 3 slices of plum on top
7. Add more batter until baking cup is 2/3 full
   
8. Place 1 or 2 more slices of plum on top of each
   
9. Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons butter together, and spread on top of each plum slice
   
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the side of the cupcake (around a plum slice) comes out clean
11. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, before removing to a rack to cool completely.
12. To make the glaze: melt butter in the microwave
13. Add melted butter to powdered sugar, vanilla, 3 Tablespoons milk, and salt
14. Mix well, adding more milk until desired consistency is reached
15. Drizzle glaze all over completely cooled Plum cupcakes
    
16. Make these red dunes, at your home. Na zdrowie!

Here's some live footage of Vader playing the title track off their album Reign Forever World.

Cupcake the Gorgon

So there's this band from around here called Lair of the Minotaur. Their intent is to make heavy-fucking-metal based on the bloodiest tales in Greek Mythology.
Not only have they successfully achieved this goal, but they've also captured my metal heart in the process. They are absolutely, without a doubt, one of my very favorite local bands.
The video for "War Metal Battle Master" from their latest album of the same name, premiered when the Horror Society Film Festival was here. Awesome!
They also have a burger named after them at the always popular Kuma's Corner burger joint.
It features Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, Brie, and Bourbon Soaked Pears. I'm not exactly sure how those toppings make it a Lair of the Minotaur burger (they're from Chicago, not France or Italy), but it seems to be a popular burger nonetheless. And Kuma's is always a fun place to hang out at. I recommend the waffle fries and as many types of beer as your liver will let you try.

Oh, and in case you're not quite sure, a Gorgon is a monster of the underworld from Greek Mythology. "Gorgos" means terrible in Greek. Medusa was one of 3 Gorgons that did not possess immortality.

To honor Lair of the Minotaur and their brutal contribution to my local metal scene, I give you:


Lair of the Minotaur: Cupcake the Gorgon








Metal Constituents

Vanilla Batter:

• 2 2/3 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 7 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons dark rum

Chocolate Batter:

• 2 Tablespoons dark rum
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2 cups vanilla batter

For the Frosting:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• green food coloring

For the Chocolate Snakes:

• 2 cups chocolate chips, melted

Merciless Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees, line a cupcake tin with baking cups and set aside
2. Make the vanilla batter first: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir well by hand to mix.
3. Add butter and mix on low speed until it becomes a smooth, heavy paste (about 1 to 2 minutes)
4. Whisk the eggs and rum together
5. With the mixer on medium speed, beat 1/3 of the egg mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Continue beating for about 1 minute
6. Stop the mixer, add 1/2 of the leftover egg mixture, and beat for 2 minutes
7. Repeat with the rest of the egg mixture
8. For the chocolate batter: combine rum, milk, and baking soda in a medium sized mixing bowl
9. Add chocolate, whisk mixture well
10. Add 2 cups of the vanilla batter, mix well
11. Scoop about 3 Tablespoons of each batter into opposite sides of each baking cup
12. Once all cups have been filled with each batter, take a chop stick and swirl the two batters together slightly. Only go around the cup about 3 times.
13. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean
14. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing them to a rack to cool completely
15. To make the frosting: Use an electric mixer to beat the butter until it's creamy
16. Add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar
17. Beat on low speed until light and fluffy
18. Add green food coloring until desired shade of gorgon skin is achieved
19. Frost completely cooled cakes
20. To make the chocolate snakes: line a large plate or baking sheet with wax paper
21. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 30 seconds, stir
22. Repeat microwaving at 15 second intervals, stirring each time until chocolate chips are melted and smooth
23. Fill a squeeze bottle or pastry bag (fitted with a small tip), with the melted chocolate
24. Pipe chocolate onto wax paper in the shape of several snakes
25. Place plate or baking sheet full of snakes into the freezer, and allow chocolate to harden for about 15-20 minutes
26. Place snakes into frosting to make your cupcake look like a gorgon
    
27. Enjoy your Demoness of the Grotesque

Here's some live footage featuring Larry of the Minotaur:

These Are My Dress Cakes

Bison B.C. are from Canada (British Columbia to be exact). They are part of this amazing Canadian Metal movement that has produced such brutal bands as 3 Inches of Blood, Despised Icon, and Deamon.
Bison B.C. are known for their riffs, which have been described as "colossal" and "flowing like a mighty river into a sea of fuzzed out shredding."

But what do Bison B.C. have to say about themselves? Let's find out:

Crawling through the forest of time, we came to destroy your life - so you might rebuild it again with these ideals more in mind: rock, rock and more rock. So forget about your life for a moment and bang your fucking head.

Sounds like a plan!
To honor these Canadian champions of metal, I give you:

Bison B.C.: These Are My Dress Cakes





Metal Constituents:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 6 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups white chocolate chips

For the Vanilla Frosting:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• mini chocolate chips

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tin with papers and set aside.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each
4. Melt chocolate in microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring each time. Allow chocolate to cool to room temperature, then add to mixture
5. Sift together cake flour and baking soda
6. Mix together buttermilk and vanilla
7. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture in 3 additions (starting and ending with flour mixture)
8. Stir in white chocolate chips
9. Fill each cupcake paper about 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean
10. To make the vanilla frosting: Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
11. Add the milk, vanilla, and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat at low speed until light and fluffy.
12. Add more powdered sugar to arrive at the consistency and sweetness you like.
13. Frost completely cooled cakes, and top with mini chocolate chips.
14. Bring to your next Black Tie event.
    

Here's some footage of Bison B.C. playing "These ARE My Dress Clothes" in Vancouver. Enjoy!

Don't Break the Yolk

If you had a favorite human skull, what would you name it?
Skully? Boner? Sugar?
King Diamond named his Melissa.
Melissa apparently was a woman burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft. Several songs written by King Diamond went on to describe how unbearable the loss was, and vow revenge against the priest that burned Melissa.
In a tragic twist of events, Melissa was lost to all of us again when she was stolen after Mercyful Fate played a show in the Netherlands. Oh... The Dutch.
Fortunately, King Diamond saved Melissa's femurs, and was able to attach them to his microphone.

To honor Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, and Melissa, I present to you:


Mercyful Fate: Don't Break the Yolk





Metal Constituents:

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 egg yolks (approximately 3 ounces)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract, all natural
• grated rind from 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon bitters
• 5 egg whites (approximately 5 ounces)
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
• 1/4 cup sugar

For the Meringue Frosting:

• 4 large egg whites
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• Pinch cream of tartar
• Pinch fine salt

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, line a cupcake tin with baking cups and set aside.
2. Sift flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder into the bowl of a standing mixer.
3. In a medium bowl, combine oil, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon extract, lemon rind, and bitters. Stir to combine.
4. On a low setting, start to beat the dry mixture and slowly add the wet. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until incorporated.
5. Transfer mixture to another bowl. Wash and dry mixer bowl.
6. Whip egg whites with whisk attachment on medium-high speed until foamy.
   
7. With the mixer on medium speed, add cream of tarter and slowly add sugar.
   
8. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.
9. Scoop a cupful of the stiff egg whites, and gently fold into the batter. This should lighten up the batter.
10. Transfer the batter to the rest of the egg whites, and gently fold until there are no more streaks of egg white.
11. Scoop into cupcake cups about 2/3s full.
12. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
13. For Meringue Frosting: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold a mixer's bowl above the water.
14. Whisk the egg whites, sugar, lemon juice and zest, cream of tarter and salt in the bowl by hand.
15. Set the bowl above the boiling water and continue whisking until the mixture is hot to the touch and the sugar dissolves, about 1 to 2 minutes.
16. Transfer the mixture to a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat at medium-high speed until meringue is cool and holds a soft peak, about 5 minutes.
17. Continue beating until it holds stiff peaks.
18. Top completely cooled cakes with Meringue frosting.
19. Make Melissa proud.
    

Baptized in Fire and Frosting

Who likes Viking Metal?
Raise your battle axe!!

Formed in Stockholm in 1983 by the late, great Quorthon, Bathory are absolutely the pioneers of Viking Metal. Featuring a galloping pace, and lyrics that reference Norse Mythology, their album Hammerheart set the standards for Viking Metal.
Other Viking Metal bands worth checking out are Týr, Enslaved, Svartsot and Turisas.

Their name was inspired by Elizabeth (Erzsebet) Bathory. She was a 17th century Hungarian noblewoman, who allegedly enjoyed bathing in the blood of virgin women to keep herself young. Most estimates on the number of girls she killed are between 600 and 700. In 1610, she was imprisoned in Csejte Castle (Čachtice Castle), where she remained on house arrest. She was sealed with bricks into a set of rooms until her death four years later.

While I don't condone bathing in virgin blood, I do condone baking these cupcakes as a tribute to Bathory and Viking Metal.

Bathory: Baptized in Fire and Frosting





Metal Constituents:

• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/4 cup grated blood orange zest (about 4 blood oranges)
• 3 cups+ 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Frosting:

• 8oz Cream Cheese, room temperature
• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• Zest of 1 blood orange
• Juice of 1 blood orange

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line a cupcake tin with baking cups
2. Cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer
3. Add eggs, one at a time
4. Add blood orange zest
5. Sift together 3 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl
6. In another bowl, combine orange juice, buttermilk, and vanilla
7. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the butter and sugar mixture, beginning and ending with the flour
8. Toss the chocolate chips with the 2 tablespoons of flour (this will ensure that they remain evenly distributed throughout the batter)
9. Add chocolate chips to the batter
10. Scoop batter into baking cups, and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
11. Allow cakes to cool in pan for 10 minutes, before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. To make the Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes)
13. Add the cocoa, vanilla, and powder sugar. Beat until well combined.
14. Add zest and continue beating one minute more.
15. Add blood orange juice one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
16. Baptize completely cooled cakes.
    

Black Bile Cakes

I really love Graves at Sea.
Besides having a fucking great band name, they're brutal as hell.
To my dismay, they formed in 2002, and broke up in 2005. *sigh*
But they've left us all with their brilliantly heavy, sludge metal to cherish always.

Documents of Grief is their only full-length album. I suggest if you don't already own a copy, drop what you're doing and go get it, NOW.

It's okay, this recipe will still be here when you get back.

To honor the disbanded Graves at Sea, I give you:

Graves at Sea: Black Bile Cakes







Metal Constituents:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup milk

For the Filling:

• 2 cups Whole milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• pinch of salt
  
• 4 egg yolks
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Black food coloring

For the Ganache:

• 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°, and line a cupcake tin with baking cups.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Beat in vanilla.
6. Add flour mixture and milk alternatively, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
7. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, about three-quarters full each.
8. Bake until golden and tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer pans to wire rack; cool completely.
9. To make the Black Bile Filling: Heat milk, ¼ cup of the sugar, the vanilla, and salt in a pan over medium until it reaches a simmer.
10. Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining ¼ cup sugar in a medium sized bowl until combined.
11. Slowly add ½ cup of the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
12. Add remaining milk mixture slowly while whisking.
13. Transfer back into the pan and heat over medium-high heat, whisking constantly until it thickens. It will thicken all of a sudden, give it a good whisk then take it off the heat.
14. Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter, and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
15. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the cream, and refrigerate until cool, about an hour or so. *This can be made a day in advance*
16. Add enough black food coloring to achieve the desired shade of black bile.
17. To Make the Ganache: Chop chocolate and transfer into a heat proof bowl.
18. Heat cream until bubbles form around the edge of the pan, pour cream over the chocolate.
19. Let sit for 1 minute then stir until combined.
20. Add butter and vanilla and stir until all chocolate is melted and combined. If the chocolate won’t completely melt, place bowl over a water bath to finish the job.
21. Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixture and let cool for 10 minutes.
22. Sift powdered sugar into the mixture and beat until combined.
23. Continue to beat with an electric mixer until lighter in color and creamy.
24. Transfer to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
25. To assemble cakes: Once cakes have cooled completely,use a small pairing knife, and cut off the top of each cupcake in the shape of a cone.
26. Flip the top over and cut off the cone.
27. Using a small spoon, or a pastry bag, fill the cavity with pastry cream -I mean black bile.
28. Replace the top of the cone.
29. Frost cakes with ganache. I also added a touch of red decorating gel to mine.
    
30. Your cake runneth over with blood and bile.

Here's some live footage of Graves at Sea playing "Pariah," enjoy!:

Cupcakes for the Aurochs

As many of you Guitar Heroes know, The Sword have a song on Guitar Hero 2 called "Freya".

While it is a delightful tune, I'd have to say that my favorite song off the album Age of Winters is "Lament for the Aurochs."
In case you're wondering, an Auroch is a kind of extinct Ox. Aurochs were also known to have very aggressive temperaments (metal) and killing one was seen as a great act of courage in ancient cultures. This probably explains why they're extinct.



The Aurochs by Heinrich Harder (1858-1935)


To honor our fallen fellow Mammals, and their inspiration to The Sword, I give you:


The Sword: Cupcakes for the Aurochs




Metal Constituents:>

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons plain, low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)

For the Frosting:

• 8oz package of Cream Cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Merciless Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cupcake pans with liners; set aside.
   
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
   
3. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, egg, yogurt, and vanilla.
4. Stir in carrots.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, and stir until well combined.
6. Fill baking cups about 2/3 full.
   
7. Bake about 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean.
   
8. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
9. To make the frosting: Mix the cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla together.
10. Beat at low speed, until light and fluffy.
11. Add enough green food coloring to create a shade enticing to cattle.
    
12. Frost completely cooled cupcakes.
13. Enjoy while awaiting the return of the Aurochs.

Here's the video for another song off Age of Winters, called "Winter's Wolves."
It goes along well with the Harder painting pictured above.
Enjoy!





Also I'd like to give a shout-out to my favorite knitting instructor: Hi Sharon!
I'm glad your Celtic Frost cupcakes turned out good!

Suicide (by Cupcake)

Honestly, have you ever seen a more brutal album cover? I have to say this is my favorite cover of all time. I'm not kidding! Look at these vikings! Admire their ginger beards! Behold the carnage! Fear slipping off the icy mountain top!

As if this cover wasn't enough, the whole album fucking rules. My favorite track has to be "Suicide" (Red Fang covered this song, and did a really great job). I like to picture the drummer Marc Bell (AKA Marky Ramone) using Brontosaurus bones when pounding out this tune.

Dust only released 2 albums before going their separate ways. *sigh* But it's always best to go out on a high note. They will forever hold a place in my cold, black heart.

Because this recipe has so many intense, sinfully, suicidal elements, I recommend using 2 different mixes to save both time and money.

In honor of Dust, I give you:

Dust: Suicide (by Cupcake)

Metal Constituents

• 1 box Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix
  
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 egg

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 pouch (1lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg

For the Frosting:

• 1 stick of butter, room temperature
  
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
  
• 3 to 5 Tablespoons of milk
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  

Merciless Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees, line a cupcake tin with baking papers.
2. Make brownie mix as directed on box, using vegetable oil, water and an egg.
3. Fill each cupcake paper about 2/3 full with brownie batter.
4. Make cookie dough as directed on the package, using butter and an egg.
5. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls into each cupcake, and press down slightly.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the side of a cupcake, comes out almost clean.
7. Let cakes cool in pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
   
8. To make the frosting: Place the butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture is soft and well combined, about 30 seconds.
9. Stop the machine and add the confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons of the milk, and the vanilla. Blend with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, about 1 minute.
10. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute more.
11. Add 1 to 2 Tablespoons more milk if the frosting is too stiff.
    
12. Spread on completely cooled cakes. Sprinkle with various suicidal implements, such as rainbow sprinkles and mini chocolate chips.
    
13. Enjoy, pretty soon you'll be gone.

Kenny Aaronson

Marc Bell

Richie Wise

I couldn't find any live footage of Dust.
This is all I have to offer (close your eyes and enjoy):

Cupcakes of the Tyrants

Zürich, Switzerland has been ranked as having the highest quality of life in the world. I'm pretty sure this is due to the fact that it's the hometown of legendary black metal band,Celtic Frost.
Their first album, Morbid Tales (1984) and the following Ep, Emperor's Return (1985) are their crowning achievements. I don't know about you, but I never get tired of listening to Tom Warrior growl about civilizations crumbling into decay. Brutal.

To honor Celtic Frost, and their contribution to the Swiss standard of living, I give you:

Celtic Frost: Cupcakes of the Tyrants






Metal Constituents:

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 3oz milk chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 packet Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Frosting:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup corn syrup
• 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• mini chocolate chips
  

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Prepare a cupcake tin with baking cups
3. Put the butter and milk chocolate pieces together in a microwave-safe bowl, and nuke on high for 30 seconds.
4. Stir gently and nuke for another 30 seconds, or until they mix together into a smooth paste when stirred
5. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, Swiss Miss, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
6. In another bowl, mix the milk, beaten egg, sour cream, and vanilla together
7. Add the butter chocolate mixture, and wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once
8. Beat until well combined
9. Fill baking cups about 2/3 full and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
10. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. To make the frosting: Add salt to egg whites, and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form
12. Gradually add sugar 1 Tablespoon at a time, beating until smooth and glossy
13. Slowly add corn syrup, beating until firm peaks form
14. Add vanilla
15. Spread onto completely cooled cakes, and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips
    
16. Nihil Verum Nisi Mors.