A 3 cupcake week, whew! I had planned something chocolate, but then realized that Cinco de Mayo was looming large. I changed it up to make Margarita Cupcakes. And because you need "a little something" with your margarita, I took a stab at Guacamole Cupcakes.
Thoughts - Margarita cupcakes were nice and moist, but a little too orange for true margarita flavor. The frosting was good, with a strong lime flavor. Next time I'd reduce, maybe omit, the triple sec and focus on the lime flavor in the cupcakes.
Guacamole cupcakes were an experiment. I wanted the tomato flavor to be strong, but without the aid of other spices they tended to be flat. Maybe a better muffin? Maybe with chunkier tomatoes? And the frosting, again, it needed something. The avocado did not have enough taste on its own. Maybe cumin? More lemon? After you got over the EWE factor, overall, boring.
Margarita Cupcakes
To standard yellow cupcakes replace liquid with
1/2 C vegetable oil
2/3 C margarita mix
1/4 C lime juice
1/4 C tequila
2 T triple sec
1 T lime zest
1 T lemon zest
1/4 t lime extract
Bake 350, 15-20 minutes
Frosting
1/2 C butter, at room temperature
3 C powdered sugar, sifted
2 T lime zest
1 T lime juice
1 T tequila
1/2 t lime extract
pinch of salt
Cream butter, zest and salt. Add powdered sugar in three increments. Whip until well mixed, add lime juice and tequila, beat 3-4 minutes until desired consistency.
Tomato Cupcakes
1 C butter, at room temperature
1/2 c dark brown sugar
1 C light brown sugar
3 C flour
1/2 t baking soda
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 C tomato juice
1 T tomato paste
Cream butter and sugars, and pepper. Add eggs one at time, mixing well between each addition. Combine baking soda, baking powder, flour and salt. Combine tomato juice and tomato paste. Add flour mixture alternating with tomato juice mixture, mixing well between each addition. Bake 350, for 20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Avocado Frosting
1/2 C butter, at room temperature
1/2 C mashed ripe avocado
3 T lemon juice
3 C powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt
Cream butter, avocado, lemon juice and salt. Add powdered sugar in three increments. Whip until well mixed, add additional lemon juice to reach desired consistency Beat 3-4 minutes.
I had switched gears to focus on Cinco de Mayo and I realized I was ignoring the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. Not sure why I'm compelled to acknowledge the Derby, I'm not a horse racing fan by any stretch. I think deep down, very deep down, I fancy the elaborate hats worn at the Kentucky Derby. Many years ago, at my first ad agency job the owner would sometimes wear hats for client meetings. More often than not, she would put together an elaborate costume of an outfit complete with extreme make-up, bold jewelry and gloves. Yes, gloves. The size and decorations on the hats increased by importance of the meeting. On especially large garish hat days we would know to leave her alone unless summoned. The hats served as a barometer to her mood, impending client meetings could make her a notch above giddy or downright mean. The Kentucky Derby and advertising, not everyone walks away a winner, but you get to keep your hat.
As for the cupcakes, I went Mint Julep instead of Derby Cake. For me, the cupcakes did not have enough mint flavor, they seemed wishy-washy. Nice and moist, but next time I'll add some mint extract. And more bourbon in the sauce.
Mint Julep Cupcakes
Bake standard yellow cupcakes, doubling the vanilla to 2 T. Bake as directed.
Butter Bourbon Sauce
1/2 c confectioners sugar
1/3 cup butter melted
3 T water
2 T bourbon
Melt butter in small sauce pan, stir in sugar, water and bourbon. Mix well. Using a wooden skewer, poke 6 - 8 holes in cupcakes and generously brush tops with sauce.
Mint Frosting
1/2 C butter room temperature
3 C powdered sugar, sifted
2 T Creme de Menthe
1 C white chocolate chips, melted
pinch of salt
Cream butter, melted chocolate chips and salt. Add powdered sugar in three increments. Whip until well mixed, add Creme de Menthe beat 3-4 minutes until desired consistency.
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