Soda Fountain Cupcakes: Cakes on a Plane

These soda fountain cupcakes are actually root beer cupcakes topped with cream soda frosting and a chocolate malt ball. I found that just the smell of them made people smile.

Cupcakes on a Plane

I've been baking cupcakes for quite some time now, but since I live in St. Louis and my family lives in NY they have only gotten to see pictures of my little treats. Pictures of cupcakes are nice, but it's just not the same as the taste test.

I spent the past week in NY and decided I would take some cupcakes along with me. I had doubts as to whether I would be allowed on the plane with them since I once had an incident where the TSA officer tried to confiscate a package of cream cheese from me (they called it a gel). I begged and got to take it on board.

As it turned out though, there was no need to worry in this case. The only comment from the TSA worker was, "Those look like some special cupcakes," or something like that. I even have photographic evidence of my cupcake flying. No, that was not photoshopped.

My secondary concern was that I didn't bring enough cupcakes. I actually restricted the number of cupcakes my husband and I ate so that there would be enough to bring. Well let me tell you a little something about these New Yorkers (or maybe just about my family), these people are far more health conscious that the average Midwesterner.

• In sunny St. Louis, you present a crowd with some cupcakes and people come running. Fights may ensue. People get upset if they are left out of a particular week's tasting.
• In the big apple (perhaps the apple is in the name because they just eat fruit), it was like people were doing ME a favor to taste my fine wares. Three or more people would cut a single cupcake into small slices (kinda like an apple now that I think of it) and share. I admit I've been known to cut a cupcake in half, but really they are designed as a single serving item, your own personal cake. That is their beauty.
  

Any New Yorkers care to explain to me how cupcake shops thrive in the city? Do people eat the entire cupcake themselves?

That being said, props go to my Mom (gotta love Moms) for eating her whole cupcake because it was made with love by me. She also put one away in her freezer for her fiance who is on a no- sugar diet.

Root Beer Cupcake Recipe

The cake part of the recipe was a root beer cake. I found the recipe at the Bittersweet Blog. The cake was moist and had a strong root beer smell and flavor. Definitely a winner.
makes 12 cupcakes

• 1 C rootbeer soda
• 1 t apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 C sugar
• 1/3 C canola oil
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 2 t rootbeer extract
• 1 1/3 C flour
• 3/4 t baking soda
• 1/2 t baking powder
• Pinch of Salt

1. Combine the soda and vinegar and let stand for a few minutes.
2. Add in the sugar and oil, whisking vigorously until slightly frothy.
   
3. Integrate your extracts, and gently introduce the flour, along with the baking powder / soda, and salt, being careful not to over mix.
   
4. Fill cupcake liners approximately 3/4 of the way to the top.
   
5. Bake at 350 F for about 18 - 22 minutes.
   

The Cream Soda Frosting Recipe

The frosting that was used on Bittersweet might be great, but it just didn't seem like it would be what I was looking for. I wanted a rich vanilla and creamy frosting and the taste of vanilla soy just didn't seem like it would do. Instead, I opted for a cream soda frosting. I used the cream cheese frosting recipe from my maple frosting as base, but made some changes.

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/4 C butter
• 4 C powdered sugar
• 1.5 t cream soda extract (Cream soda extract isn't exactly a common household item. However, I was able to order some at a soda home brewing company, The Homemade Soda Company. This is also where I ordered my root beer extract from. The service there was fantastic! They shipped my stuff the same day and even called me to let me know they had found a cheaper shipping rate for me. I'd definitely recommend them, if you want to try making some cream soda frosting. I'd also highly recommend the frosting. It was a perfect match for the root beer cupcake.)

1. Beat cream cheese and butter.
2. Add powdered sugar until the consistency is right.
3. Add extract.
   

The Topping

I topped the whole thing with a chocolate malt ball just to complete the soda fountain experience.

Wedding Potential?

The groom seemed to like the fact that I used local Fitz's Root Beer in the cupcake. Gives it a St. Louis feel for his out of town guests. It would be really cool if I could actually use Fitz's extracts for the root beer extract part and cream soda extract part. Somehow I doubt they give that stuff away though. Anyone have any connections?

Footnote

This cupcake was chosen for the wedding!