White Chocolate Amaretto Cupcakes

For my Valentine's Day contribution to Paula Deen's website, their editor suggested that I create a cupcake using white chocolate.  These white chocolate amaretto cupcakes did the trick!  The cupcakes contain both melted white chocolate and white chocolate chips for a double punch of white chocolate.  The amaretto adds a sultry almond flavor – enough to enjoy, but not strong enough to leave you with a lingering taste of alcohol.

Although you can make these white chocolate amaretto cupcakes using store-bought white chocolate, it would be extra fun to make them using homemade white chocolate (it only takes five minutes to make!). 

For the white chocolate amaretto cupcake recipe, head to Paula Deen's website!

Waldorf Salad Cupcakes

When I told Jonathan that I was going to decorate a cupcake with grapes, he got a little scared.  You see, the last time that I decorated with grapes, I created grape man (just go look).  I assured him that this time, I'd keep it more normal and simply replace the iconic cherry on top with a grape.  Why grapes at all?  This is my cupcake version of Waldorf salad - a fruity salad created in the late 1800's at the Waldorf hotel in New York.

Gingerbread Cupcake Batter Pancakes

Gingerbread cupcakes were one of the very first cupcakes that I ever baked.  I got lucky and they were phenomenal (if my early cupcakes hadn't been tasty, who knows if this blog would have ever happened).  When my friend Brooke from Sucre Shop questioned whether you could make pancakes from cupcake batter (clearly I only choose brilliant people as my friends), I immediately thought of converting the gingerbread cupcakes to pancakes. 

To make the gingerbread cupcake batter pancakes, I kept the the basic batter as my gingerbread cupcakes, adjusted the proportions, and voila - cupcakes turned into pancakes!

Get more details and the recipe on Paula Deen's site where I am a regular contributor.  

Mini Black Licorice Cupcakes for Halloween

In my last post, I asked you to guess which flavor of licorice I'd be using in my licorice cupcakes.  The answer is black licorice!  Black licorice is a love it or hate it flavor and I saw some strong opinions about it in the contest comments.  Even if you fall into the "hate it" category, I hope you'll consider giving these black licorice cupcakes a try.  Flavors taste different in different formats.  Some people enjoy bananas, but can't stand banana bread; others detest tomatoes and adore tomato sauce.  Likewise, several anti-licorice tasters raved about my licorice cupcakes.  

Before I developed the licorice cupcake recipe, I made homemade black licorice to see firsthand how to achieve the distinct flavor of black licorice.  (I didn't post about the candy itself because I wasn't able to get the texture quite right.  If I master it, I'll share it.)  The black licorice recipe was made using dark corn syrup,  molasses, and anise extract, so I used those same ingredients in my black licorice cupcakes.  It worked!  The cupcakes truly taste like a cupcake form of black licorice. 

To get the black licorice cupcake recipe, head over to Paula Deen's website.  I'm a regular guest contributor on her site and the black licorice cupcakes were my contribution for Halloween!

And the winner is...

French Toast Cupcakes Stuffed with Peaches and Mascarpone

For my second recipe inspired by Muffin Tin Chef (my first was potato and egg cupcakes, a cupcake version of Matt's Parmesan hashbrowns), I put the Cupcake Project spin on his French toast made in muffin cups.  I stuffed the French toast with brown sugar coated peaches and mascarpone cheese and topped them with fresh whipped cream and edible flowers.  

Savory Potato Rosemary Cupcakes with Irish Cheddar Frosting for St. Patrick's Day

Sure, St. Patrick's Day makes people want to drink green beer (I've done a cupcake with that), have whiskey (there's a cupcake for that, too), and make wishes on clovers (yes, I've also done a cupcake with clovers).  But, there is something else that Ireland is known for and that should not be forgotten - potatoes!! 

This month, my guest contribution to Paula Deen's website is a savory potato rosemary St. Patrick's Day cupcake with Irish cheddar frosting that can be served as a stand-alone snack or as a unique, surprising dessert.  

Read more about this St. Patrick's day cupcake and get the recipe on Paula Deen's website.

Passion Fruit Cupcakes for Valentine's Day with White Chocolate Frosting

I have to give credit where credit is due.  Jonathan came up with the idea for these passion fruit cupcakes for Valentine's Day with white chocolate frosting.  I mentioned that I was trying to think of something different for Valentine's Day this year and he said, "Passion fruit!"  I wasn't sure about the idea at first - perhaps because I hadn't thought of it (yeah, I'm like that sometimes).  But, the idea grew on me until I had to get into the kitchen and bake them.

The passion fruit cupcakes are unique and tropical and they express more than just a friendly, hand-holdy kind of love. These are the cupcakes for the Valentine you are passionate about.

Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes

I've made gingerbread cupcakes before, but this month for my guest contributor post on Paula Deen, I wanted to take gingerbread cupcakes to the next level.  I added chocolate, a splash of coffee, and a bold, ginger orange glaze - and ended up with an unforgettable, sophisticated holiday cupcake.

I totally fell in love with the handmade paper gingerbread toppers from Etsy seller LOVE2STAMP4U.  If you'd rather use edible toppers, these chocolate gingerbread cupcakes would be adorable topped with real gingerbread men or homemade gingersnap cookies.

Ready to bake? Head over to Paula Deen's website for the chocolate gingerbread cupcake recipe!

Maple Pecan Cupcakes with Butter Pecan Buttercream Frosting for Paula Deen

Diving into these maple pecan cupcakes from the top, you’ll be met with butter pecan buttercream frosting that tastes exactly like butter pecan ice cream – so much so that you may be tempted to put it in a bowl and eat it with a spoon.  That wouldn’t be a bad choice, but then you would miss out on discovering how well the butter pecan pairs with the pecan-packed maple cupcakes made with a half cup of pure maple syrup.  Together, frosting and cupcake are pecan perfection!

I developed the maple pecan cupcake recipe for Paula Deen. So, you'll have to head over to Paula's website to learn how to make them.  Happy travels!

Pumpkin Mudslide Cupcakes on Paula Deen

Regular readers know that I periodically develop recipes for Paula Deen's website. This month, I created these pumpkin mudslide cupcakes inspired by my must-try frozen pumpkin mudslide cocktails.  I'll just share two quick facts about these cupcakes and then I'll send you over to the queen of all things butter to see my recipe.

First, when my friend Adam tried these cupcakes, he said they were so amazing that they actually gave him goosebumps.  That's the kind of review that I like to hear!

Second, some boozy cupcakes just hint at the alcohol content.  Although you won't get drunk from these pumpkin mudslide cupcakes, these cupcakes are designed for an adult palate and you will definitely taste the Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlua (try making homemade Baileys Irish Cream and homemade Kahlua for an extra-special treat).

Now, I bid you bon voyage on your recipe reading journey.  Click the image below (currently found on Paula Deen's homepage) to set sail.

Bellini Cupcakes

The folks at PaulaDeen.com asked if I could come up with a fabulous cupcake for Mother's Day.  The first thing that came to mind was a mimosa cupcake - but I've already written about mimosa cupcakes.  I decided to create a Bellini cupcake.  (For the uninitiated, a Bellini is similar to a mimosa - only it's made with peach instead of orange.)

Here's my description of the bellini cupcakes from Paula Deen's site:

To make the Bellini cupcakes, start with light champagne cupcakes (with a full cup of champagne in the batter), fill them with burnt peach puree, and top them with a burnt peach buttercream.  Sprinkle sparkly sanding sugar over the cupcakes to give them the festive feel of the fizz of a freshly opened bottle of champagne. The only thing missing from the experience will be the pop of the cork. 

For the recipe, head over to PaulaDeen.com!

Crab and Asparagus Quiche Cupcakes for Paula Deen

As many of you know, I regularly develop recipes for Paula Deen's website.  This month, my recipe for crab and asparagus quiche cupcakes is featured on Paula Deen's homepage. I love how Paula Deen's staff's addition of text to Jonathan's photo makes the cupcakes even more elegant and appealing.  Don't you adore the loopy "C"?  I wish my handwriting looked like that.

If the crab and asparagus quiche photo and the loopy "C" haven't sold you, here's a convincing quote from my post on Paula Deen: "Each quiche 'cupcake' features a from-scratch buttery crust seasoned with cracked pepper and filled with gruyere, fluffy eggs, and a generous helping of crab meat.  The quiches are topped with asparagus roasted with just a touch of olive oil and salt."  Go get the quiche recipe now.

Irish Coffee Brownie Cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day

Irish coffee cupcakes are coffee-flavored cupcakes spiked with whiskey and topped with chocolate whiskey cream cheese frosting.  Irish coffee brownie cupcakes are the same thing, but with a surprise inside...

...a hidden brownie center!

I probably don't need to tell you how sensational these Irish coffee brownie cupcakes are, or how you need to make these cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day, or how these are a coffee-lover's dream.  Just go get the recipe on PaulaDeen.com* and get baking!

*For those of you who don't know, I regularly develop cupcake recipes for Paula Deen's website.  These St. Patrick's Day cupcakes are my March recipe.

Valentine's Day Cupcakes for Two in Under Ten Minutes

Sometimes you don't want a dozen cupcakes.  This chocolate spice cupcake recipe that I created for Paula Deen makes just two cupcakes.  However, the best part is that the cupcakes can be made in the microwave and the whole thing takes under ten minutes.  Enjoy them warm with fresh whipped cream and sprinkles.

Chocolate Spice Cupcakes For Two Recipe

How to Ship Cupcakes

It is notoriously hard to ship cupcakes.  When trying to ship cupcakes, there is that pesky problem of keeping the cupcakes from turning upside-down and the gift arriving as a frosted box rather than frosted cupcakes. 

So How Do You Ship Cupcakes?

Chocolate Cranberry Cupcakes for Paula Deen

In addition to writing this blog, I regularly develop cupcake recipes for Paula Deen's website.  This month's recipe is a chocolate sponge cake cupcake filled with cranberry sauce and topped with cranberry cheesecake.  Yes, it is as good as it sounds!  Head over to Paula Deen's site now for the recipe.

Apple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls - This Month's Cupcake Project Recipe for Paula Deen

 

As my regular readers know, I create monthly cupcake recipes for PaulaDeen.com.  This month, I was asked to develop something with apples or pecans.  I opted to use both! I made these apple pecan cinnamon roll cupcakes with a glaze that actually contains apple cider! 

Whether or not you make the cinnamon rolls, I'd highly recommend trying out the simple apple cider glaze. The apple cider glaze would be outstanding on my gingersnap cookies.

You'll find both the apple pecan cinnamon roll cupcake recipe and the apple cider glaze recipe on Paula Deen.

Peach Tea Cupcakes on Paula Deen

Remember when I learned the best way to bake with tea?  I made jasmine raspberry cupcakes that I adored, and I warned you that more tea cupcakes were coming soon.  When the folks at Paula Deen requested a peach cupcake for the month of August, sweet peach tea immediately came to mind.  Can't you picture Paula Deen sitting on her porch with one of my peach tea cupcakes?  Some day, I'll get the chance to personally make one for her; but for now, I'll just continue to widely grin about the fact that my cupcakes are on her website.

Head over to PaulaDeen.com and check out the recipe for these Southern summer treats!

Banana Split Cupcakes for Paula Deen

This month, I created banana split cupcakes for Paula Deen.  I was glad to see that one of her readers already made them and left the following comment on her site:

I made these this past weekend and they were a hit. I have been trying out different recipes for an upcoming birthday party and I think that these will be the perfect addition/ centerpiece for that occasion. The taste was magnificent! And the whipped topping was the perfect icing on the cake I have ever made. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Melissa of Laredo, TX on July 12, 2010 11:36 AM

Head on over to Paula Deen's site for the cupcake details!

Blueberry Granola Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes on Paula Deen

This month, the folks over at Paula Deen asked me to come up with a blueberry cupcake recipe.  Blueberry has never been one of my favorite flavors.  I didn't like blueberries at all until I discovered that not all blueberries are huge and flavorless - like most of the ones you can find at the supermarket.  Last summer, I bought a bag of fresh, tiny blueberries at our local farmers' market and ate almost the whole bag in one sitting. I'm now a blueberry believer!

I wanted to give Paula Deen's readers a blueberry cupcake that would be special (not interchangeable with all the mediocre blueberry muffins out there) and, as is always my rule, it had to be something that I would like.  I ended up with these:

These blueberry cupcakes have fresh blueberries, granola (I used my homemade blueberry granola), chocolate chunks, maple syrup, and apple butter, and they're topped with homemade whipped cream.

Head on over to Paula Deen's site to get the recipe!