The One with Creative Mattress Flipping and Rolo Cupcakes
Welcome to Friends with Food Episode #5! Give it a listen here. We cover Friends Season 5 Episode 5, “The One with the Kips.” We are joined by our friend Eliana Waxman! Eliana is a lost comedic Chicagoan soul currently in New York City trying to find her way in late night television. We met Eliana in one of Howard Johnson’s Comedy Lab classes!
“The One with the Kips” originally aired on October 29th, 1998. This was two weeks after the previous episode aired, due to the 1998 World Series! The top song on the charts was, once again, “The First Night” by Monica! The music video for this song was perhaps the one and only moment in time when khakis were cool? Vampires was number one at the box office, a movie that none of us had ever heard of. Have you?? We also felt compelled to discuss Pleasantville, which was number one the previous week, and is a wonderful film!
Rachel, about to read correspondence from her Mom, because apparently the year is 1898.
I know it’s le poo right now, but it’ll get better!
Hey! Joey’s ass!
Chandler physically restraining Joey as his mind has been blown by the revelation that Chandler and Monica are dating!
Rolo Cupcakes
There is a recurring joke about Rolos in this episode, which inspired me to create these Rolo Cupcakes!
I’m not the biggest baking expert, so I relied on a couple of recipes for inspiration. You can also use your favorite boxed chocolate cake mix for this, along with your favorite chocolate frosting, though I must say this frosting recipe is DELICIOUS and incredibly quick and easy to make!
rolo cupcakes
cake adapted from Snacking Cakes by Yossi Arefi, frosting adapted from Spend With Pennies
for cupcakes:
24 Rolos, divided: 12 FROZEN, 12 not frozen
1c dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1c plain yogurt
1/2 c neutral oil, like canola or vegetable
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
for topping:
1/3c milk
1/3c butter
1 1/4c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1c semi sweet chocolate chips
caramel sauce
equipment:
muffin pan
cupcake liners
*Place 12 Rolos in the freezer for at least two hours before you begin!
Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a muffin pan (or two, depending on size) with 12 paper liners. Place the brown sugar and two eggs in a large bowl and whisk thoroughly until lightly foamy, about a minute. Add yogurt, oil, vanilla, and salt, and whisk until smooth and well combined. Add cocoa powder and whisk well. Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and whisk well. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each liner about three-fourths of the way to the top. Place a frozen Rolo in the center of each cupcake, pushing down until just submerged. Smooth batter over the top. Bake cupcakes 15 minutes, or until set and a toothpick or knife inserted into the center (just next to the Rolo but not through it) comes out clean. Set pans on a wire rack until cool enough to handle, then remove cupcakes to the rack until completely cool.
When cupcakes are completely cool, prepare frosting. Place butter, milk, and powdered sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Melt everything together, stirring frequently. Bring to a boil and let bubble for about 30 seconds. Turn off heat and stir in vanilla and chocolate chips, whisking until frosting is all melted together and smooth. Place cupcakes on a plate or pan to catch drippings, then immediately spoon the warm frosting over top of the cupcakes, covering the top of each cupcake completely. Immediately place a Rolo on top of each cupcake. Let the frosting cool enough to set, then drizzle with caramel sauce. Enjoy!
