cupcakes

Shelly Kaldunski

Luscious bakeshop favorites from your home kitchen

Contents

7 Introduction 20 Basic Cupcakes

23 24 27 28 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 Vanilla Cupcakes Yellow Cupcakes Chocolate Cupcakes Devils Food Cupcakes Carrot Cake Cupcakes Gingerbread Cupcakes Mocha Cupcakes Chai & Honey Cupcakes Crumbcake Cupcakes Strawberry Cupcakes Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

40 Fruit & Nut Cupcakes

43 Triple Berry Cupcakes 44 Grapefruit & Buttermilk Cupcakes 47 Rose Water & Raspberry Cupcakes 48 Lemon Blueberry Crunch Cupcakes 49 Sour CherryAlmond Cupcakes 50 Lime Meringue Cupcakes 52 Tangerine Cupcakes 53 Apple Spice Cupcakes 55 Coconut-Lime Cupcakes 56 Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes 58 Rum Raisin Cupcakes 59 Banana Caramel Cupcakes 60 PB & J Cupcakes 62 Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes 63 HazelnutBrown Butter Cupcakes

64 Chocolate Cupcakes
67 68 69 70 73 74 75 76 79 80 Black Forest Cupcakes Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes Red Velvet Cupcakes German Chocolate Cupcakes Mini Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes Molten Chocolate Cupcakes Triple Chocolate Cupcakes Black & White Cupcakes Rocky Road Cupcakes White Chocolate & Raspberry Cupcakes

82 Special-Occasion Cupcakes
85 86 87 88 91 92 95 96 99 100 Salted Caramel Cupcakes Tres Leches Cupcakes Tiramisu Cupcakes Jumbo Malted Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Mini Sticky Toffee Pudding Cupcakes Ice Cream Cupcakes Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes Fourth of July Cupcakes Creepy Crawler Halloween Cupcakes Christmas Peppermint Cupcakes

102 Frostings, Fillings & Finishes

104 Basic Buttercream 105 Buttercream Flavors 106 Cream Cheese Frosting with variations 107 Peanut Butter Frosting 108 Meringue Frosting 109 Marshmallow Frosting 110 Sweetened Whipped Cream 111 German Chocolate Topping 112 Rich Chocolate Glaze 113 Gooey Chocolate Glaze 114 Vanilla Glaze with variations 115 Grapefruit or Lime Curd 116 Caramel Drizzle 117 Candied Grapefruit Peel 118 Sugared Flowers & Petals 119 Candied Carrots

120 Creative Cupcaking 122 Presenting your Cupcakes 124 Index 128 Acknowledgments

12 All About Cupcakes

Basic piping techniques

Even the novice cupcake decorator can create boutique-bakery cupcakes with a pastry bag and tip. Get a little practice by piping designs onto a clean plate. When youre ready to start decorating, the practice frosting can be put back into the pastry bag and reused. Buttercreams and cream cheese frosting are the most forgiving types of frosting to use for creating piped designs.

PLAIN TIP A spiral of frosting,

CLOSED STAR TIP To create a

LEAF TIP A large leaf tip can be

made with a large plain tip, is a clean, simple design. Start at the center of the cupcake and, applying even pressure to the pastry bag, move the tip in a spiral motion, working outward to the edge of the cupcake, then build upward, still moving in a spiral motion and piling the frosting on top of itself. Finish at the center of the cupcake.

decorative fluted swirl of frosting, use a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip. Start on the outer edge of the cupcake, applying even pressure to the pastry bag, and work inward in a circular motion, overlapping the circles slightly and building upward, finishing at the center of the cupcake. Release pressure before pulling the tip away.

used to create a ruffled ribbonlike effect. With the opening of the leaf tip held in a vertical position, pipe the frosting, applying even pressure to the pastry bag. Use a zigzag movement to move the tip in and out from the center of the cupcake to the edge. Rotate the cupcake as you pipe to cover the entire surface with frosting.

16 All About Cupcakes

Basic Cupcakes

 23 Vanilla Cupcakes 24 Yellow Cupcakes 27 Chocolate Cupcakes 28 Devils Food Cupcakes 31 Carrot Cake Cupcakes 32 Gingerbread Cupcakes

33 Mocha Cupcakes 34 Chai & Honey Cupcakes 36 Crumbcake Cupcakes 37 Strawberry Cupcakes 38 Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

Devils Food Cupcakes

A rich chocolate glaze adds to the devilishly dark goodness of these cupcakes. Devils Food Cupcakes are also great topped with any flavor of buttercream (page 105), Meringue Frosting (page 108), or Marshmallow Frosting (page 109).
155g plain flour 20g unsweetened cocoa powder
3

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 180C. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil cases. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter together until light and fluffy, 23 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the water and buttermilk, beating on low speed until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat on medium-high speed just until no traces of flour remain, about 30 seconds; do not overbeat. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 1820 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Spoon the chocolate glaze over the cupcakes. (The glazed cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days; bring to room temperature before finishing and serving.) Garnish the cupcakes with the sugared flowers, if using, and serve.

4 tsp bicarbonate of soda

4 tsp salt

125g granulated sugar 105g firmly packed light brown sugar 60g unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 tsp vanilla extract 125ml lukewarm water 60ml buttermilk Rich Chocolate Glaze (page 112) Sugared Flowers (page 118), optional
MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

28 Basic Cupcakes

Fruit & Nut Cupcakes

 43 Triple Berry Cupcakes 44 Grapefruit & Buttermilk Cupcakes 47 Rose Water & Raspberry Cupcakes 48 Lemon Blueberry Crunch Cupcakes 49 Sour CherryAlmond Cupcakes 50 Lime Meringue Cupcakes 52 Tangerine Cupcakes 53 Apple Spice Cupcakes

55 Coconut-Lime Cupcakes 56 Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes 58 Rum Raisin Cupcakes 59 Banana Caramel Cupcakes 60 PB & J Cupcakes 62 Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes 63 HazelnutBrown Butter Cupcakes

Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes

These little indulgences are scaled-down versions of a dessert favorite: the classic New York cheesecake. They combine the sweet fruitiness of fresh strawberries with the rich creaminess of cheesecake, and they taste every bit as luscious as any full-sized version.
FOR THE TOPPING

To make the topping, in a nonreactive saucepan, combine 12 pound of the strawberries with the sugar. Use a fork to gently mash the strawberries. Cook over medium-high heat until the strawberries are softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 12 pound strawberries and lemon juice. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool completely. (The topping can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.) Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350F. Line a 24-cup miniature muffin pan with miniature paper or foil liners. To make the filling, in a bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the sugar and beat until smooth; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each; add the flour and beat until combined. Divide the cream cheese filling evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 34 full. Bake until the cheesecakes are just set in the center, about 15 minutes. Let the cheesecakes cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Using a small offset spatula, transfer the cheesecakes to the wire rack and let cool completely, about 45 minutes. Refrigerate the cheesecakes in an airtight container at least overnight or for up to 3 days. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the strawberry topping onto each chilled cheesecake and serve right away.

1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and cut in half

1

2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

FOR THE FILLING

114 lb cream cheese, at room temperature

3

4 cup sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract

4 cup sour cream

2 large eggs, at room temperature 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

MAKES 24 MINI CUPCAKES

56 Fruit & Nut Cupcakes

PB & J Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a riff on the old childhood standby, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Truthfully, adults love the flavor combination as much as kids do. Use your favorite type of jam to fill the cupcakes, and serve them with ice-cold milk.
Batter for Vanilla Cupcakes (page 23) Peanut Butter Frosting (page 107)
3

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 1820 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan on the wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Using a paring knife, halve each cupcake horizontally (see page 14). Spread about 1 tablespoon of jam on each cupcake bottom, then replace the tops. Frost with the buttercream and serve. (The filled and frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before serving.)

4 cup fruit jam or preserves

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

60 Fruit & Nut Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes

 67 Black Forest Cupcakes 68 Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes 69 Red Velvet Cupcakes 70 German Chocolate Cupcakes 73 Mini Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes

74 Molten Chocolate Cupcakes 75 Triple Chocolate Cupcakes 76 Black & White Cupcakes 79 Rocky Road Cupcakes 80 White Chocolate & Raspberry Cupcakes

Black Forest Cupcakes

These cupcakes are individually sized and deliciously eye-catching versions of the classic Black Forest Cake. Kirsch, a cherry-flavored brandy, gives the lightly sweetened whipped cream that stands in for frosting an extra measure of cherry flavor.
Devils Food Cupcakes (page 28) 1 2 cups fresh Bing cherries, pitted and cut in half, plus 12 whole unpitted cherries with stems for garnish
1

Bake and cool the cupcakes according to the recipe, then top with the Rich Chocolate Glaze. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the halved cherries, granulated sugar, and kirsch. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and the juice becomes syrupy, 57 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour or for up to 1 day. In a bowl, combine the cream and confectioners sugar. Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat until slightly thickened, 12 minutes. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the cream holds soft peaks, 23 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the cherry mixture into the whipped cream, leaving streaks of red. Top the glazed cupcakes with the cherrywhipped cream mixture, garnish each with a whole cherry, and serve. (The finished cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day; let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.)

2 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tbsp kirsch 1 cup cold heavy cream 1 tbsp confectioners sugar
MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

Chocolate Cupcakes 67

Black & White Cupcakes

These cupcakes, a divine combination of chocolate cake and cheesecake, are ooeygooey delicious. Theyre best eaten the day they are made, but if you happen to have leftovers, they can be gently reheated before serving.
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature 1 tbsp sour cream 1 4 cups sugar
1

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350F. Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. To make the cream cheese filling, in a bowl, using an electric mixer on high speed, beat the cream cheese until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream and
1

1 cup cake flour 3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1

2 cup of the sugar and beat until combined.

To make the cupcake batter, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and remaining 34 cup sugar together until light and fluffy, 23 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, beating on low speed until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about one-half full. Spoon the cream cheese filling onto the center of each, dividing it evenly (the filling will sink into the cupcakes as they bake). Bake until the cupcakes are set in the center, about 15 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Spoon the glaze over the cupcakes, top with chocolate curls, if using, and serve. (The finished cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in a 250F oven for 5 minutes before serving.)

2 tsp baking soda

4 tsp salt

4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 large egg, at room temperature 1 tsp vanilla extract
1

2 cup whole milk

Gooey Chocolate Glaze (page 113) Chocolate curls (see page 19) for garnish, optional
MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

76 Chocolate Cupcakes

Special-Occasion Cupcakes

 85 Salted Caramel Cupcakes 86 Tres Leches Cupcakes 87 Tiramisu Cupcakes 88 Jumbo Malted Chocolate Chip Cupcakes 91 Mini Sticky Toffee Pudding Cupcakes

92 Ice Cream Cupcakes 95 Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes 96 Fourth of July Cupcakes 99 Creepy Crawler Halloween Cupcakes 100 Christmas Peppermint Cupcakes

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

These striking cupcakes feature an intriguing interplay of sweet and salty flavors. For an extra special touch, dip the bottoms of the caramel candies that will be used as garnishes into melted chocolate and let the chocolate cool before topping the cupcakes.
114 cups all-purpose flour
3

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the sugars and butter together until light and fluffy, 23 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, beating on low speed until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 2022 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to the wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream. (The frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before finishing.) Top each cupcake with a caramel candy, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, and serve.

4 tsp baking powder

4 tsp salt

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1

2 cup granulated sugar

2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1

2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tsp vanilla extract

1

2 cup whole milk

Caramel Swirl Buttercream (page 105) 12 caramel candies Sea salt

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

Special-Occasion Cupcakes 85