Destined to be Festive Cakes

One of the most festive album covers of all time has to be Autopsy's Mental Funeral. One look, and I'm instantly reminded of the holiday season, and all that comes with it.
Autopsy came to life in 1987 after drummer Chris Reifert decided to stay in San Francisco, leave Death (he played on my favorite Death album- Scream Bloody Gore), and start his own band. At the time, Death Metal was in it's infancy and Mental Funeral really set the standards. If it's an Autopsy song, you know it's going to be full of brutal gore and horror. The European metal scene seemed to give them the credit they deserved, but it took us crummy Americans a while to fully appreciate their greatness. Because of this and other reasons, they decided to call it quits in 1995.

After changing their minds about never, ever, ever, reuniting, Autopsy did just that for the 2010 Maryland Deathfest. Even during sound check kids were freaking out! The show went so well that if it hadn't been for the Baltimore curfew, they would have just kept on playing- possibly FOREVER. Shortly thereafter, they announced their permanent reunion and released Macabre Eternal. This record absolutely makes up for lost time and removes any doubt that they've still got it where it counts.
The beast that is Autopsy, has awoken from it's slumber.

In food related news, Chris Reifert also submitted a recipe for Mummified Jalapeño Bacon Bombs to Hellbent for Cooking. Awesome!

In honor of the holiday season, and a band that keeps on giving, I present to you:

Autopsy- Destined to be Festive Cakes

Makes 18

Metal Constituents:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 1 cup red and green M&M's

For the Frosting:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• red food coloring
• 1 cup green candy melts, melted

Merciless Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tin with baking cups, and set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, water, and peppermint extract.
4. Beat on low speed until smooth.
5. Fold in M&M's.
6. Fill each baking cups about 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the cakes comes out clean.
8. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make the frosting: Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer until smooth.
10. Add powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract. Beat until smooth.
11. While continuing to beat, drip red food coloring into the frosting until desired festive shade is achieved.
12. Frost completely cooled cupcakes.
13. Place green candy melts into a microwave-safe bowl.
14. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir.
15. Continue microwaving at 10 second intervals until chips are completely melted and smooth.
16. Drizzle melted green candy over each frosted cupcake.
17. Pick away at your mouldering cake.

Here is some classic footage of Autopsy playing "Destined to Fester."

Happy Holidays from Metalcakes!!