Spectacular Cupcakes

Friday, March 14, 2008

I bake a lot of cupcakes. I really enjoy it. When I saw the Cupcake Spectacular blogging event, I knew I had to participate. I had a hard time deciding what my favorite cupcake flavor is… I have a few favorites that I’ve already made, but I wanted to make something special for this event…

I decided to make these vanilla raspberry cupcakes. They turned out perfectly light and fluffy. I am usually a big fan of chocolate, but sometimes a dessert can be spectacular without it. This cupcake is just that.

Hubby has turned into a cupcake connoisseur. As my primary taste tester, he has tried quite a few combinations of cupcakes over the past year. He often helps me make the final decision on how much frosting or what filling to put in a cupcake. He said these were the perfect ratio of cake to filling to frosting. He said they’re definitely one of his favorites!

(And yes, that is pink wood paneling in our dining room that matches the frosting perfectly. Hence the kitchen renovation that will be starting soon).

Vegan White Cupcakes (from Crazy about Cupcakes) – makes 20
1/2 cup vegan margarine, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups unbleached cane sugar
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups soy or rice milk
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

Preheat over to 350F. Insert liners into a medium cupcake pan.

In a large bowl cream together the sugar and margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the soy or rice milk. Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.

Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan.
Raspberry Buttercream – from A whisk and a Spoon – originally from Baking Illustrated – makes 2 cups
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (3.5 oz) sugar
1 t vanilla extract
pinch of salt
8 oz unsalted butter, softened but still cool, cut into pieces
1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam, loosened with a squirt of lemon juice
1/4 t cinnamon
Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepot. In the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Set the bowl over the simmering water (making a double boiler). Whisk gently but constantly until the mixture reaches 160°F. It should be thin and foamy.

Transfer the bowl to the mixer and whip until light, airy and room temperature. This should take about five minutes. Reduce the speed and whip in the butter, piece by piece. If it looks curdled halfway through, it should come together as you add the remaining butter.

Once all the butter is incorporated, beat on high speed for about a minute until light and fluffy. Add the raspberry jam and cinnamon and beat until just incorporated. You can refrigerate, covered, for up to five days.
Cupcake Assembly
Once the cupcakes have cooled, fill with about 1 tsp seedless raspberry preserves. I like to use the Cone Method.

Frost with a big dollop of raspberry buttercream.

Cupcakes, Dessert

5 comments »

23 Responses to “Raspberry Meringue Cookies”

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1

Steph — January 16, 2009 at 1:09 am

These are so cute and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
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2

bensbaby116 — January 16, 2009 at 1:43 am

They’re so pretty!! I love meringues, I love raspberry, and I love chocolate… I might have to try this recipe. Thanks for posting!
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3

Linds — January 16, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Those looks absolutely lovely! Great job!
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4

Melissa — January 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm

How pretty, pink & perfect!
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5

Kristen616 — January 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Not only are they SO pretty but they look delicious! I love that flavor combination.
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Erin — January 16, 2009 at 2:54 pm

I bet those would be great for a wedding or baby shower! They look lovely! And I bet the raspberry/dark chocolate combo tasted great!
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Colleen — January 16, 2009 at 4:46 pm

These are BEAUTIFUL!
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Jen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

These would be perfect for a baby shower. You could probably use any flavor jello in them.
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Joelen — January 16, 2009 at 4:59 pm

gorgeous pic and the flavor of raspberry and chocolate is wonderful!
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10

Lori — January 19, 2009 at 2:27 am

Those look amazing. I love that first photo, nicely done!
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mooskietx — January 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Just looking at the picture makes me feel like i need to go to the gyms in Boston.
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12

Katie — January 20, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Oh my gosh, these look INSANELY awesome!! I want one right now!!
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13

Lucy — February 20, 2009 at 12:14 am

These looks simply gorgeous! and… I have a cookie tray to make for a baby shower… my yet to born grandson. Wonder how these would look in a light blue????
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 1:21 am

You could definitely use blue jello.
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Alicia — February 20, 2009 at 3:43 am

These are so pretty! Im having a baby shower this weekend for a baby girl and these would be perfect. Which tip did you use for the star?
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 2:47 pm

I used the really big star tip. Not sure what # it is, but it’s the same one that I used for my peppermint meringues (there’s a picture in that post).
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creativecarryout — February 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm

I saw this on tastespotting and wanted to comment on how gorgeous your photo is. I’ve bookmarked your recipe too – these are beautiful and I bet delicious with that flavor combination.
Thanks,
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
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Jen — February 20, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Thanks for the compliments!
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Jennifer — February 21, 2009 at 11:57 am

Those are so cute!!!!!!!!
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Erin — March 3, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Ok, you’ve inspired me…

http://erinsfoodfiles.blogspot.com/2009/03/vanilla-bean-meringues.html
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colleen — March 9, 2013 at 10:32 am
Very good meringues… have made them several times for church since I found this recipe… they evaporate instantly ! Great also for a non wheat gluten item.
- beantownbaker — March 9th, 2013 @ 3:01 pm
  
  Glad you enjoy them!
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behance — October 12, 2018 at 5:06 pm

I feel useful from the sharing you bring. Thank you for the value you bring to the reader