Cupcakes
I've always had a soft spot for cupcakes. They're basically mini-cakes that travel well and can be shared with others.
Here are six yummy cupcake recipes to help you througoh the day, including Gingerbread Cupcakes with Gingerbread Frosting and Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting. Enjoy!
CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
This is from the October 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 62. It begins, "This vegan version of store-bought cupcakes will win over a crowd."
Makes 12 vegan cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cream-filled-chocolate-cupcakes/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs. rice vinegar (unseasoned)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 7.5-oz. container vegan whipped topping
4 oz. semisweet vegan chocolate chips (2/3 cup)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Coat 12 muffin tin cups with cooking spray.
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into bowl. Add oil, vinegar, vanilla, and 1 cup plus 2 Tbs. cold water. Stir 50 strokes, or until smooth. Pour batter into muffin cups. Bake 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, unmold, and cool completely.
Cut wide cones out of cupcake bottoms, reserving cones. Scrape 1 Tbs. cake from insides. Spoon whipped topping into plastic bag. Snip corner of bag, and squeeze topping into cavities. Reinsert cake cones, and chill 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate in double boiler, whisk in 1/4 cup boiling water, and use to frost cupcakes. Chill 30 minutes. Combine confectioners’ sugar and 1 Tbs. water in bowl. Transfer to plastic bag, and snip corner. Pipe curlicues atop cupcakes.
PINATA CUPCAKES
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Learn how to make Piñata Cupcakes, and you'll have everyone looking forward to your next party. Make and bake the cake mix, then cut a small hole to create a pocket in the center of the cupcake to fill it with your piñata goodies (rainbow-colored sprinkles and mini chocolate-covered candies). Want even more color? Divide the frosting up, and add different gel food colors for a fun rainbow effect. A cupcake is always a treat, but every bite of this fun, candy-filled Piñata Cupcakes recipe is a fiesta."
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 24 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/pinata-cupcakes.
Ingredients
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix
Water, oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1-1/4 cups mini candy-coated chocolate candies
1/2 cup candy sprinkles
6-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 to 7 tablespoons milk
Gel food colors
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool cupcakes completely on cooling rack, about 15 minutes.
In small bowl, mix mini candy-coated chocolate candies and candy sprinkles.
Using sharp knife, cut a circle/hole into center of cupcake to create a little pocket about 1 inch deep, leaving 1/4-inch of cake at bottom. Trim baked side of plug to 1/2 inch, and set aside.
Place about 1 tablespoon candy mixture inside cupcake. Replace cupcake plug to cover candy mixture. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and candy mixture.
In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 4 tablespoons of the milk.
Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a teaspoon at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar.
Divide frosting (about 1 cup each) into four separate small bowls. Stir gel food color into each bowl to make desired colors. Spoon each color frosting into separate pastry bag fitted with desired tip. Frost cupcakes, as desired.
Expert Tips
We recommend using gel food color, which can bring vibrant colors that won’t change the frosting consistency.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes using a pastry bag and piping tip to give a more polished decorating look. For easy cleanup, look for disposable pastry bags, which often come with various piping tips.
To give these Piñata Cupcakes a festive look, we’ve used a variety of gel food colors. Try to look for inside-of-the-cupcake sprinkles and candies that match the frosting colors.
For a quick and easy way to make the pockets in the cupcakes, use a 1-inch round cookie cutter.
For the maximum piñata effect of candy spilling out of the cupcakes, fill the cupcakes with the sprinkles and candy on the same day they'll be enjoyed.
GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH GINGERBREAD FROSTING
Just the name of this got my attention. It's from Baking at Home, and begins, "These gingerbread cupcakes have a moist, soft crumb and a delicate flavor of molasses and spices. A sweet gingerbread frosting brightens the flavor of the cupcakes. If you’re a gingerbread lover, then this recipe is for you."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 22 minutes; Total Time: 32 minutes; Yield: 12 cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://bakingathome.com/recipe/gingerbread-cupcakes-with-gingerbread-frosting/.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening *can also use unsalted butter at room temperature.
1/2 C. light brown sugar packed firmly in cup
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 C. Grandma’s Molasses®
1/2 C. whole milk, room temperature
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1-1/2 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Nutmeg
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Saigon Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Spice Islands® Allspice *can be omitted if you do not have it on-hand
Frosting
1/2 C. butter unsalted, room temperature
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
4 C. powdered sugar
1/4 C. milk
1 Tbsp. Grandma’s® Molasses
1/4 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Ginger
Directions
Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-count cupcake pan with liners; set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the shortening and brown sugar; beat on medium speed until fluffy; about one minute.
Add the extract, molasses, egg, and milk. The mixture will look a little bumpy at first but will even out once the dry ingredients are added. Be sure to scrape down the stand mixer bowl with a rubber spatula since this batter will become sticky.
Reduce the stand mixer speed to low and slowly add in the flour, spices, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Scrape down the bowl sides to mix all the batter.
Scoop batter into lined cupcake pan and fill each about 3/4 of the way. This recipe makes exactly 12 standard cupcakes.
Bake cupcakes for 20-23 minutes. A toothpick or tester inserted into the center of a cupcake will come out clean once removed.
Allow cupcakes to cool for at least one hour before frosting.
Frosting
Add room temperature butter, shortening, ginger, and molasses to a stand mixer; mix on medium-low speed until creamy.
Slowly add the powdered sugar and reduce the stand mixer speed to low. Once the ingredients start to incorporate, add the milk, and increase the speed. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides. The frosting will be thick and moist. If it is too dry add a tablespoon more of milk.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with frosting and ice cooled cupcakes. Pipe cupcakes, and then sprinkle each with gold sanding sugar. Garnish each cupcake with a topper and enjoy!
Tips
HOW TO MAKE THE GINGERBREAD FROSTING
Making gingerbread frosting is easier than you think! Typically, we use a cream cheese buttercream recipe, but adding subtle flavors of ginger and molasses sounded appealing for these holiday cupcakes. The trick is you only need a little bit of molasses and ginger flavoring to not overpower the buttercream. I used both room temperature butter and shortening in this frosting so that it would pipe well and get those perfectly crusted outer edges on the swirls.
Made in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, the end result was a sweet, rich frosting that had a subtle, warm taste of molasses, and ginger. This recipe adequately piped twisty swirls on 12 cupcakes. Consider doubling it for larger cupcake quantities.
STORING
Since these are made with fresh dairy ingredients like butter and milk they do need to be refrigerated. Store gingerbread cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days for best flavor and texture.
These can also be frozen with or without frosting. To freeze, place frosted cupcakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until solid. Once solid, wrap each with plastic wrap and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH A PEPPERMINT FROSTING
Just the name of this got my attention. This is from Baking at Home, and can be found at https://bakingathome.com/recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-a-peppermint-frosting/.
Ingredients
3/4 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 C. unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Powder
1 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 C. Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
2 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 C. whole milk
For the frosting
4 C. confectioners sugar
1/2 C. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
3 Tbsp. milk or heavy cream
crushed peppermints for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
In another large bowl add eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk and whisk to combine.
Slowly incorporate wet ingredients into the dry ingredients by folding it in until just combined.
Spoon into muffin tins with liners filling halfway and bake for 18-21 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
While the cupcakes cool, make the icing by adding butter to a bowl and beating with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar a little at a time until all has been added.
Add peppermint extract and milk and continue to mix until the icing is smooth and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Top cupcakes with desired amount of frosting and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES
This is from Jesse Szewczyk in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. For this yummy recipe, Jesse wrote, "These simple, fuss-free cupcakes cram all of the beloved flavors of classic carrot cake into nostalgic, portable treats. The batter is made with melted butter, allowing you to quickly mix it in one bowl. It’s flavored with a generous amount of ground cinnamon and shredded carrots to add an earthy flavor and unbeatable moistness. An optional add-in of chopped nuts or raisins lets you customize the batter to produce your ideal version of carrot cake. Finishing the cupcakes with a swoosh of fluffy, just-sweet-enough cream cheese frosting makes them fit for any celebration."
Time: 1-1/2 hours; Makes 12 cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024173-carrot-cake-cupcakes. While you're there, you might want to sign up for The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, if you haven't already.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
3/4 cup melted unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
2 large eggs
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups finely grated carrots (from 3 or 4 medium carrots), see Tip
1/2 cup/61 grams chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins or a combination of all three (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
1-2/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more as needed
Preparation
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt until smooth and glossy, about 20 seconds. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth and no streaks of unincorporated whites remain before adding the next.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder. Add to the butter mixture and stir with a rubber spatula just until no pockets of unincorporated flour remain. (Try not to overmix.) Add the grated carrots and optional nuts and raisins (if using) and stir just until the carrot shreds are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups using a cookie scoop or two spoons until they are about three-fourths of the way full. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes are slightly domed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached, 17 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the muffin tin.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting: Combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Decrease the speed to low and add the confectioners’ sugar, one spoonful at a time with the mixer running, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until completely incorporated. Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting until light and fluffy, adding additional confectioners’ sugar as needed to achieve a firm frosting consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.
Once the cupcakes have fully cooled, frost the tops using a pastry bag, offset spatula or large spoon.
Tip
Use the side of a box grater with the medium holes to finely grate the carrots.
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL FROSTING [VEGAN]
This is from Kristen Genton at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "This is a great basic chocolate cupcake that would go great with any frosting, but here it's topped with a generous swirl of chocolatey peanut butter bliss. Definitely make these the next time you're craving a cupcake!"
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-butter-swirl-frosting/.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/4 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
For the Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting:
3 tablespoons vegan butter
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon almond milk
3/4 cup powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Swirl Frosting:
5 tablespoons vegan butter
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon melted vegan dark chocolate
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
To Make the Cupcakes:
Add dry ingredients to the mixer and mix until fully combined.
Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry. Mix until completely smooth (about 3 minutes).
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
To Make the Peanut Butter Swirl:
Cream vegan butter with peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar until smooth. Whisk in almond milk at the end.
To Make the Chocolate Swirl:
Cream vegan butter and peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate until combined.
To Decorate:
In a piping bag, add the peanut butter frosting to one side, and the chocolate swirl to the other side.
Here are six yummy cupcake recipes to help you througoh the day, including Gingerbread Cupcakes with Gingerbread Frosting and Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting. Enjoy!
CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
This is from the October 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 62. It begins, "This vegan version of store-bought cupcakes will win over a crowd."
Makes 12 vegan cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cream-filled-chocolate-cupcakes/.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs. rice vinegar (unseasoned)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 7.5-oz. container vegan whipped topping
4 oz. semisweet vegan chocolate chips (2/3 cup)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Coat 12 muffin tin cups with cooking spray.
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into bowl. Add oil, vinegar, vanilla, and 1 cup plus 2 Tbs. cold water. Stir 50 strokes, or until smooth. Pour batter into muffin cups. Bake 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, unmold, and cool completely.
Cut wide cones out of cupcake bottoms, reserving cones. Scrape 1 Tbs. cake from insides. Spoon whipped topping into plastic bag. Snip corner of bag, and squeeze topping into cavities. Reinsert cake cones, and chill 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate in double boiler, whisk in 1/4 cup boiling water, and use to frost cupcakes. Chill 30 minutes. Combine confectioners’ sugar and 1 Tbs. water in bowl. Transfer to plastic bag, and snip corner. Pipe curlicues atop cupcakes.
PINATA CUPCAKES
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Learn how to make Piñata Cupcakes, and you'll have everyone looking forward to your next party. Make and bake the cake mix, then cut a small hole to create a pocket in the center of the cupcake to fill it with your piñata goodies (rainbow-colored sprinkles and mini chocolate-covered candies). Want even more color? Divide the frosting up, and add different gel food colors for a fun rainbow effect. A cupcake is always a treat, but every bite of this fun, candy-filled Piñata Cupcakes recipe is a fiesta."
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes; Makes 24 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/pinata-cupcakes.
Ingredients
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix
Water, oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1-1/4 cups mini candy-coated chocolate candies
1/2 cup candy sprinkles
6-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
5 to 7 tablespoons milk
Gel food colors
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool cupcakes completely on cooling rack, about 15 minutes.
In small bowl, mix mini candy-coated chocolate candies and candy sprinkles.
Using sharp knife, cut a circle/hole into center of cupcake to create a little pocket about 1 inch deep, leaving 1/4-inch of cake at bottom. Trim baked side of plug to 1/2 inch, and set aside.
Place about 1 tablespoon candy mixture inside cupcake. Replace cupcake plug to cover candy mixture. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and candy mixture.
In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 4 tablespoons of the milk.
Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a teaspoon at a time. If frosting becomes too thin, beat in a small amount of powdered sugar.
Divide frosting (about 1 cup each) into four separate small bowls. Stir gel food color into each bowl to make desired colors. Spoon each color frosting into separate pastry bag fitted with desired tip. Frost cupcakes, as desired.
Expert Tips
We recommend using gel food color, which can bring vibrant colors that won’t change the frosting consistency.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes using a pastry bag and piping tip to give a more polished decorating look. For easy cleanup, look for disposable pastry bags, which often come with various piping tips.
To give these Piñata Cupcakes a festive look, we’ve used a variety of gel food colors. Try to look for inside-of-the-cupcake sprinkles and candies that match the frosting colors.
For a quick and easy way to make the pockets in the cupcakes, use a 1-inch round cookie cutter.
For the maximum piñata effect of candy spilling out of the cupcakes, fill the cupcakes with the sprinkles and candy on the same day they'll be enjoyed.
GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH GINGERBREAD FROSTING
Just the name of this got my attention. It's from Baking at Home, and begins, "These gingerbread cupcakes have a moist, soft crumb and a delicate flavor of molasses and spices. A sweet gingerbread frosting brightens the flavor of the cupcakes. If you’re a gingerbread lover, then this recipe is for you."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 22 minutes; Total Time: 32 minutes; Yield: 12 cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://bakingathome.com/recipe/gingerbread-cupcakes-with-gingerbread-frosting/.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening *can also use unsalted butter at room temperature.
1/2 C. light brown sugar packed firmly in cup
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 C. Grandma’s Molasses®
1/2 C. whole milk, room temperature
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1-1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1-1/2 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Nutmeg
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Saigon Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Spice Islands® Allspice *can be omitted if you do not have it on-hand
Frosting
1/2 C. butter unsalted, room temperature
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
4 C. powdered sugar
1/4 C. milk
1 Tbsp. Grandma’s® Molasses
1/4 tsp. Spice Islands® Ground Ginger
Directions
Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-count cupcake pan with liners; set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the shortening and brown sugar; beat on medium speed until fluffy; about one minute.
Add the extract, molasses, egg, and milk. The mixture will look a little bumpy at first but will even out once the dry ingredients are added. Be sure to scrape down the stand mixer bowl with a rubber spatula since this batter will become sticky.
Reduce the stand mixer speed to low and slowly add in the flour, spices, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Scrape down the bowl sides to mix all the batter.
Scoop batter into lined cupcake pan and fill each about 3/4 of the way. This recipe makes exactly 12 standard cupcakes.
Bake cupcakes for 20-23 minutes. A toothpick or tester inserted into the center of a cupcake will come out clean once removed.
Allow cupcakes to cool for at least one hour before frosting.
Frosting
Add room temperature butter, shortening, ginger, and molasses to a stand mixer; mix on medium-low speed until creamy.
Slowly add the powdered sugar and reduce the stand mixer speed to low. Once the ingredients start to incorporate, add the milk, and increase the speed. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides. The frosting will be thick and moist. If it is too dry add a tablespoon more of milk.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with frosting and ice cooled cupcakes. Pipe cupcakes, and then sprinkle each with gold sanding sugar. Garnish each cupcake with a topper and enjoy!
Tips
HOW TO MAKE THE GINGERBREAD FROSTING
Making gingerbread frosting is easier than you think! Typically, we use a cream cheese buttercream recipe, but adding subtle flavors of ginger and molasses sounded appealing for these holiday cupcakes. The trick is you only need a little bit of molasses and ginger flavoring to not overpower the buttercream. I used both room temperature butter and shortening in this frosting so that it would pipe well and get those perfectly crusted outer edges on the swirls.
Made in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, the end result was a sweet, rich frosting that had a subtle, warm taste of molasses, and ginger. This recipe adequately piped twisty swirls on 12 cupcakes. Consider doubling it for larger cupcake quantities.
STORING
Since these are made with fresh dairy ingredients like butter and milk they do need to be refrigerated. Store gingerbread cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days for best flavor and texture.
These can also be frozen with or without frosting. To freeze, place frosted cupcakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until solid. Once solid, wrap each with plastic wrap and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH A PEPPERMINT FROSTING
Just the name of this got my attention. This is from Baking at Home, and can be found at https://bakingathome.com/recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-a-peppermint-frosting/.
Ingredients
3/4 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 C. unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Powder
1 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 C. Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
2 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 C. whole milk
For the frosting
4 C. confectioners sugar
1/2 C. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
3 Tbsp. milk or heavy cream
crushed peppermints for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
In another large bowl add eggs, oil, vanilla, and milk and whisk to combine.
Slowly incorporate wet ingredients into the dry ingredients by folding it in until just combined.
Spoon into muffin tins with liners filling halfway and bake for 18-21 minutes until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
While the cupcakes cool, make the icing by adding butter to a bowl and beating with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.
Slowly add in confectioner’s sugar a little at a time until all has been added.
Add peppermint extract and milk and continue to mix until the icing is smooth and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Top cupcakes with desired amount of frosting and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES
This is from Jesse Szewczyk in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. For this yummy recipe, Jesse wrote, "These simple, fuss-free cupcakes cram all of the beloved flavors of classic carrot cake into nostalgic, portable treats. The batter is made with melted butter, allowing you to quickly mix it in one bowl. It’s flavored with a generous amount of ground cinnamon and shredded carrots to add an earthy flavor and unbeatable moistness. An optional add-in of chopped nuts or raisins lets you customize the batter to produce your ideal version of carrot cake. Finishing the cupcakes with a swoosh of fluffy, just-sweet-enough cream cheese frosting makes them fit for any celebration."
Time: 1-1/2 hours; Makes 12 cupcakes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024173-carrot-cake-cupcakes. While you're there, you might want to sign up for The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, if you haven't already.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
3/4 cup melted unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
2 large eggs
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/3 cups finely grated carrots (from 3 or 4 medium carrots), see Tip
1/2 cup/61 grams chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins or a combination of all three (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
1-2/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more as needed
Preparation
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt until smooth and glossy, about 20 seconds. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth and no streaks of unincorporated whites remain before adding the next.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder. Add to the butter mixture and stir with a rubber spatula just until no pockets of unincorporated flour remain. (Try not to overmix.) Add the grated carrots and optional nuts and raisins (if using) and stir just until the carrot shreds are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups using a cookie scoop or two spoons until they are about three-fourths of the way full. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes are slightly domed and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached, 17 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the muffin tin.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting: Combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, if using a hand mixer). Beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Decrease the speed to low and add the confectioners’ sugar, one spoonful at a time with the mixer running, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until completely incorporated. Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting until light and fluffy, adding additional confectioners’ sugar as needed to achieve a firm frosting consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.
Once the cupcakes have fully cooled, frost the tops using a pastry bag, offset spatula or large spoon.
Tip
Use the side of a box grater with the medium holes to finely grate the carrots.
CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL FROSTING [VEGAN]
This is from Kristen Genton at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "This is a great basic chocolate cupcake that would go great with any frosting, but here it's topped with a generous swirl of chocolatey peanut butter bliss. Definitely make these the next time you're craving a cupcake!"
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-butter-swirl-frosting/.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1/4 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
For the Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting:
3 tablespoons vegan butter
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon almond milk
3/4 cup powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Swirl Frosting:
5 tablespoons vegan butter
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 tablespoon melted vegan dark chocolate
3/4 cup powdered sugar
Preparation
To Make the Cupcakes:
Add dry ingredients to the mixer and mix until fully combined.
Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and add to the dry. Mix until completely smooth (about 3 minutes).
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
To Make the Peanut Butter Swirl:
Cream vegan butter with peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar until smooth. Whisk in almond milk at the end.
To Make the Chocolate Swirl:
Cream vegan butter and peanut butter. Slowly add in powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate until combined.
To Decorate:
In a piping bag, add the peanut butter frosting to one side, and the chocolate swirl to the other side.
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