Wednesday, February 3, 2010

cupcakes of all kinds

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These are the best homemade cupcakes I've ever made, without question. You MUST try them.

Key Lime Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting
{adapted from
CuisineNie, adapted from Food Network}
Makes about 18
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp grated key (or regular) lime zest
1 1/2 Tbsp freshly squeezed key (or regular) lime juice
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk

The Frosting:
5 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped into small chucks
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Pinch salt
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp lime juice (bottled or freshly squeezed)
1/4 cup sour cream
lime zest or candied lime peel for garnish

* Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, key lime zest and juice and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 5 parts total, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Line a muffin pan with paper liners and fill each liner almost to the top with batter. A spring loaded 1/4 cup ice cream scoop works great for this and ensures the cupcakes are all the same size. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops begin to barely brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer cupcakes to a baking rack to cool completely.

FROSTING: In a small heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, carefully and slowly melt the white chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool until just slightly warm. Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until well combined. Add the salt, vanilla extract, key lime juice, and sour cream and mix until very smooth. Add the melted white chocolate and mix just until incorporated. Frost the cupcakes and garnish with a bit of grated lime zest or candied lime peel.


Photo 15

Photo 16

And speaking of cupcakes, this one is measuring right on target and looks like he won't give us the grief that Banks did. And I'm already to my semimonthly appointments! Best part of the ultrasound today; seeing what appears to be the same pointy and dimpled chin as Banks. It was so so cute and I can't wait to meet this little guy.


Oh and ever so sorry for the photobooth photos of photos... ye olde scanner died 3 days after we turned down our free printer with computer purchase option. Thanks a lot Murphy.

15 comments:

Alison said...

I knew those cupcakes were yours! Though Carly Christensen was trying to claim them. They were quite yummy.

Rachel said...

Oh my, those cupcakes look SO GOOD! I can't wait to try them . . . can you label this post as a recipe?!

And yay oh yay about your baby! I'm so so happy he is measuring right! I just love those 3-D ultrasounds . . . never had one. It makes it so real!

Emmy said...

Such cute pictures! And those cupcakes sound and look amazing!

Carrie said...

Thanks Rachel, I had forgotten! And I swear usually 3-D pictures are super scary looking but these ones actually look like a baby. The ultrasound tech was freaking out and saying she was gonna put them on her business card because they hardly ever look that real. Yay for us!

Carly said...

Those cupcakes look so yummy and pretty! And your little man is adorable as ever!

Stephanie said...

awwwww- your little little! he is so precious already!

melissa said...

that's what i was thinking, carrie, it's a baby-baby, not a scary 3d fake baby! how awesome that he's growing like he should. hooray.

Randy said...

He looks terrific. Can't wait to hold him. And, he does look just like Banksy.

boo face mcjones said...

oh my goodness, what a handsome young man! do you think he would ever like to meet my beastly large daughter?

Caity said...

I know this is really premature, but he really does look like Banks and Benson! I can totally see it! What a cutie.

Anonymous said...

I am going to have to try those cupcakes! Especially since my moms fave is key lime... Your pics are awesome! I cannot believe how clear they are!

Victoria said...

Those cupcakes sounds delish! But your little one is adorable! The 3D sonograms are amazing! I'm going to get one in a couple of weeks and can't wait!!

Sophie said...

Those cupcakes are beautiful and do look very tasty :).

Your little one is so sweet! What a peaceful expression he has.

You Are My Fave said...

1. I love white chocolate.
2. Those ultrasound pics are amazing. I can't believe how much details you can see. Hooray for babies.

Rachel Elizabeth said...

These cupcakes look delicious and your baby is already adorable!