Valentine's Day in Cupcakes--White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes

Portland loves cupcakes! There are many cupcake bakeries all over the Portland area, however, few of them change their menus for the holidays, especially once that receive little hype because it is a huge deviation for those that have a set schedule of cupcakes. Here is a recipe that I was given by a fine Portland baker that is perfect for Valentine’s Day holiday.

You Need:

• 1 1/2 cup AP flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4 oz. white chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup + 1 tbs milk
• Fresh raspberries, to taste
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened (this is not a misprint- you need it for the frosting)
• 10 oz. white chocolate, melted and slightly chilled
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tsp milk
• 7 cups fresh raspberries
• 3/4 cups lemon juice
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

This recipe makes 18 cupcakes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. These cupcakes look extra fancy with silver or red wrappers.

The Cupcake-

In a medium size bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a small, microwave safe bowl, melt the chopped white chocolate by heating it in 30 second intervals. If you know that your microwave is hotter than some, heat at lower times. You do not want to burn the chocolate. The chocolate will be ready when you stir it and it is smooth throughout.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the melted white chocolate and vanilla extract. Alternate adding the milk and the flour mixture, this makes mixing easier.

Divide the batter into prepared baking tins. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-23 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for five minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

The Frosting-

In another large bowl, cream together cream cheese, butter, and melted white chocolate. Beat in the vanilla extract and milk, and then add the powdered sugar in small, even parts.

Fill a pastry bag with a star tip and your white chocolate cream cheese frosting. Pipe a swirl (like you would see on your ice cream cone) onto each cupcake.

The Sauce-

In a medium saucepan, combine the raspberries, lemon juice, sugar and water to create the raspberry sauce. Cook on medium heat until the raspberries are soft, about 15 minutes.

Strain the raspberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to get all the berry without the seeds. Put the juice back into the saucepan and simmer on low for approximately 20-25 minutes until the sauce is reduced by half. Add the vanilla extract to the sauce at the end of the cooking time.

Pour the raspberry sauce into a large measuring cup with a spout and drizzle on the top of the frosted cupcake. It is okay to let it drizzle down the sides of the cupcake.

This recipe makes a great dessert for Valentine's Day as well as anniversaries or as a fancy plated dessert.

Valentine's Day in Cupcakes- Cherry Gingerbread Cupcakes

I have always loved gingerbread and its versatility and being able to pair with most anything. Portland’s temperature is ideal for stabilizing hard gingerbread for cookies and gingerbread houses. No matter the reason, many Portlanders love gingerbread, and cherries grow naturally all around the area, making this a perfect combination. 

You Need:

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 3 cups AP flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 24 maraschino cherries- well drained
• 4 ounce cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 to 2 cups powdered sugar

This recipe makes 20 cupcakes. Preheat oven to 375. Place cupcake wrappers in tin cavities and set aside.

1.    In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar until nice and fluffy. Add the eggs and molasses one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon in a smaller bowl. Add to the sugar mixture in 1-cup increments. Alternate adding the dry with the buttermilk to the sugar mix.
3. Stir in the nuts if you have chosen to use them. Fill each paper-lined cavity 2/3 of the way full. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each cupcake- it will sink to the center as you bake it. These cupcakes are very dense so they will not rise much.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.
5. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to finish cooling. Do not frost until the cupcakes until they have cooled completely. The frosting will melt.
6. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla and thoroughly incorporate. Gradually beat the powdered sugar into the mixture 1/2 cup at a time. If you feel the frosting is getting too thick do not add any more powdered sugar.

Chinese New Year Fortune Cookie Cupcakes

Fortune cookie cupcakes are a great dessert for Chinese New Year as well as adding a little something extra to your Chinese food dinners. These cupcakes are simple enough that anyone can bake them and the kids can join in too by helping to write fortunes to put in the cupcakes.

Write out twenty fortunes with or without the kids' help and wrap them in tin foil so that they do not burn during the baking process. Some good fortunes could include things such as; "You will have a nice day," "You will be very successful in every endeavor."

You Need:

• 1 box plain yellow cake mix
• 1 package vanilla instant pudding
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Line 20 cupcake cavities with paper cups. This recipe makes 20 fortune cookie cupcakes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, almond extract, milk, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer for 30 seconds on low. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for another 2 minutes.
2. Spoon 1/3 cup of the batter into each cup. Press a fortune into each cupcake with a toothpick or fork so that you can't see it any longer. 
3. Bake the cupcakes until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean- approximately 20-22 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then remove to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar once the cupcakes are completely cool. These cupcakes do not require frosting.

Gift Ideas for the Cupcake Lover in Your Life

As a professional baker, and a mommy, cupcakes are a huge part of my life. Not only do I love cupcakes, I find them fun treats to make because so few people will tell you that they can't have, "just one." While looking on Pinterest earlier today, I came across this photo of a cupcake gift box that reminded me of an article I wrote for Examiner last year. As a cupcake lover myself, this is my dream gift box. 

Cupcake Tins-
There are many varieties of cupcake tins on the market today. There are standard size cupcake tins, which make a 2 ½ inches round cupcake but there are also mini cupcake tins as well. Other cupcake tins that have popped up in recent years are designed to make shaped cupcakes and come in silicone pans. These tins are shaped like hearts, stars, flowers, ice cream cones, and other shapes. They are smaller tins, so purchasing a couple of them would be advisable.

Cupcake Wrappers-
Every cupcake must have a wrapper, otherwise it is a muffin. Wrappers are the number one way of adding personality to a cupcake and making them look fancier than they really are. Baking papers come in several designs for a fun, festive look. Many craft stores also sell all the accompanying accoutrements such as candies, cupcake picks, candles, and stands with any design of cupcake wrapper that you may want. This can be especially helpful for a child's party that has a theme such as Toy Story or Disney Princesses.

Cake Decorating Tips-
When it comes to frosting, there are several different ways that it can be applied. For a fancier design such as swirls or a nice even application, cake-decorating tips are advisable. Not many people can apply frosting to look like an ice cream sundae swirl without a decorating tip. Frosting tips come in packages or you can purchase them individually to create several different looks. The grass tip, a small plain tip, shell tip and rose tip are the most commonly used tips to decorate cupcakes. Also, do not forget to pick up a cupcake nail that will make decorating easier.

Sprinkles-                                                                                  

There are not many people that do not enjoy some candy sprinkles on their cupcakes. Sprinkles come in many colors, shapes, and designs for a fun cupcake topping. Some are not even really sprinkles but broken up candy pieces that are lumped into the same category. Dragees are also a type of sprinkle, but be sure that you pick up the edible ones as some are actually coated with real gold and are not meant to be eaten. All of which enhance the appeal of a cupcake sitting on the counter.

Misc.-
Items such as cupcake aprons, boxes for giving away cupcakes, spatulas, recipe cards, and cupcake themed items can be added as fillers to a cupcake lover's gift basket. These items are greatly appreciated and can really enhance a gift basket and fill up space.

Recipes-

Most all cupcake lovers want to also try out new cupcake recipes once they have all their new cupcake gear. Including a recipe book, print out of your favorite cupcake recipes, or recipe cards with cupcake recipes on them, they are gonna be a hit.