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 »

20 Responses to “Pina Colada Cupcakes”

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1

Molly — March 31, 2011 at 4:37 pm

These are so adorable! A friend once made me margarita cupcakes for a birthday, but I love the sound of all the coconut.
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2

Flavia — March 31, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I love this cupcakes week!!!!! And even Pina-colada cupcakes…..ciao, Flavia
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3

Daisy — March 31, 2011 at 4:41 pm

these look incredible! I am LOVING cupcake week!
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4

Allisonpence — March 31, 2011 at 4:42 pm

These make me crave a warm summer day.
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5

Megan — March 31, 2011 at 4:51 pm

This sounds like a fun, summery cupcake recipe! Love it!
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Rachel Marcisin — March 31, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Mmm these look awesome! But where’s the rum?
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Tell me about it! I’m not excited about the rain/snow we’re supposed to get tonight and tomorrow.
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 5:44 pm

Good point! They have the flavors of a pina colada without the alcohol. If you wanted to add some rum, I’d throw it into the filling.
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FunandFearlessinBeantown — March 31, 2011 at 6:23 pm

I’d like one of these cupcakes along with a pina colada on the beach!
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Hezzi-D — March 31, 2011 at 8:03 pm

I’ve really been into “booze” cupcake lately and yours looks fantastic! Perfect for a luau or a summer pool party!
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11

Ann — March 31, 2011 at 8:56 pm

Those are truly beautiful cupcakes! I love Pina Coladas and I love cupcakes so…
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Nutmeg Nanny — March 31, 2011 at 9:14 pm

These are so beautiful! Eating one of these would bring me back to Hawaii 🙂
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beantownbaker — March 31, 2011 at 9:18 pm

Ooohhh Hawaii sounds awesome right about now. I’ve never been.
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Shannon — March 31, 2011 at 9:18 pm

oh my gosh, those look adorable, and i love the flavor combo, too!!
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Mary — April 1, 2011 at 7:53 am

Very nice! May I ask how you set the background for your cupcake pics? The solid colors really bring attention to the cupcakes themselves.
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beantownbaker — April 1, 2011 at 3:47 pm

For the majority of my cupcakes, I use a piece 12×12 scrap-booking paper for my backgrounds. I have a big stack of a variety of colors and patterns.
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Mary — April 1, 2011 at 4:13 pm

Thank you 🙂 .
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Audrey — April 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm

I love the garnishes on the top, they looke exactly like little poolside drinks. I have been wanting to try a cocktail-like cake since I went to “cupcake happy hour” at Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square. Have you ever been there? Because if you haven’t you must go and try their mojito!
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beantownbaker — April 2, 2011 at 2:56 pm

I have been to Kickass before during the Cupcake Crawl I hosted a couple years ago. In fact, we even tasted the mojito cupcake while we were there.
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Paula Kelly-Bourque — April 3, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Such creative finishing touches to a perfectly delightful cupcake.