Saturday in the Park

1972 - What a year! Chicago has a hit called "Saturday in the Park". From what I have read, the song was inspired one year earlier in Central Park in NYC on the 4th of July.

One line reads "Singing Italian Songs" followed by ???? foreign lyrics. I must say I have no idea what was next, real Italian words or not.

I do remember it was a very fun time of my life. Just turning 13 and being grounded, my friend Miriam and her sister Teresa made me cupcakes for my birthday. I snuck out of the house and we had a small party in their basement. I think my two sisters were there as well.

The following recipe is a good cupcake recipe and although it may not be the same recipe the little teenagers made 28 years ago, it will be just as delicious if you eat it while listening to the song. You can find many versions of it on you tube.

1 3/4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 cup buttermilk, divided
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda


2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Sift flour and cocoa into small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups sugar and 3/4 cup butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then red food coloring and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients in 3 additions alternately with 2/3 cup buttermilk in 2 additions. Make well in center; pour in remaining 1/3 cup buttermilk, vinegar, and baking soda. When bubbles form, stir into batter.

Divide batter equally among paper liners. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; transfer to rack and cool completely.

Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar

Frost cupcakes

I think I am going to have to forgo the wine suggestion on this one and go with a tall glass of ice cold milk.