White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake

My friends LOVE the Red Velvet Cupcake, but they needed some white or vanilla flavoured cupcakes for their wedding to complement the decadent milk chocolate wedding cake being served.  So, I created something that would be the perfect pairing - a White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake.  It was a huge hit!  For this summery treat you'll need... 

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Buttermilk (how much? Whatever amount of water you're suppose to add to your mix)
• 4 ounces of White Chocolate (melted)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped Raspberry Flavoured Craisins
• 1 - 8oz package of Cream Cheese (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup of Butter (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons of Vanilla
• Icing Sugar
• Garnish:  Fresh Raspberries

Here's the recipe...

Step 1: Sort of follow the directions on your White Cake Mix. Start by preheating your oven and add the oil and eggs...but DO NOT add the water.

Step 2: Replace all of the water your cake mix calls for with Buttermilk.  Mix the ingredients together until it is smooth.

Step 3: Melt down the 4 ounces of White Chocolate and be careful not to overheat or burn the chocolate.  Mix the melted chocolate into your batter until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Now, that your batter is nice and smooth, stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped Raspberry Flavoured Craisins.

Step 5: Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 6: Now it's time to make the BEST part of this cupcake...the cream cheese icing!  Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter together until fully incorporated.  Add in the vanilla and slowly add in icing sugar until it tastes the way you like it.  Once it's as sweet as you like it, make sure that your icing is mixed well and is smooth.

Step 7: Icing time!  I always top my cupcakes with HEAPING amounts of icing, so you may want to double your icing recipe.  To ice these I used a piping bag and tip #1M.  Then, I topped it with a fresh raspberry.  Finito!

Happy Faking!

Continue reading...

White Chocolate, Passion Fruit and Peach Cupcake

Well, it looks like we have a three way tie for second in the cupcake flavour voting for my friends' wedding.  Right now it's between the Berry-Lemony Cupcake, the Lemon Coconut Cupcake, and the White Chocolate, Passion Fruit, and Peach Cupcake flavours.  To help with the decision making, here's the recipe for the White Chocolate, Passion Fruit, and Peach Cupcake. But first, to make this sunshine, summer delight you'll need ...

• White Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Store bought Vanilla Icing
• 4 ounces White Chocolate
• 1 cup of Passion Fruit and Peach Curd (some for the batter and some for the top of your cupcake - I bought this at the grocery store)
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional) 

And now the recipe...

Step 1: Follow the directions of your White Cake Mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs, oil, water, etc.  You'll notice that White Cake Mixes call for egg whites only and not the whole egg.  I usually don't bother with that and add the whole egg.  Mix together the batter until smooth. 

Step 2: Now it's time to add some sunshine flavour.  Add 1/2 cup of Passion Fruit and Peach Curd and mix it into the batter until fully incorporated. Melt 4 ounces of White Chocolate and slowly mix it into your batter.  Be careful not to burn your White Chocolate.  I would recommend melting it in a double boiler.  Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners and bake as directed on the package.  Once they are done baking, let them cool completely.

Step 3: While the cupcakes are cooling, why not make the icing?  Using you mixer, mix your vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Give your icing a taste and if it's too buttery for your liking, add in some icing sugar.

Step 4: To assemble your cupcakes with the icing and Passion Fruit and Peach Curd you can be as creative as you like.  I decided to make my Passion Fruit and Peach Curd the hero by piping my vanilla icing on in the shape of a bowl.  Then I filled the centre with the Passion Fruit and Peach Curd - TA DA! 


Happy Faking!

Continue reading...