Treats for Your Sweets, Day 2: Red Hot Cupcakes
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm easily won over by a cupcake. But on Valentine's Day, it can't be just any cupcake. Whip up a batch of these sexy red hot ones, and I guarantee the results will be very favorable. This recipe comes from cupcakeblog (go there for the meringue frosting recipe).
Red Hot Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cake flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
5 teaspoons ancho chili powder
1/4 cup grape seed oil (or vegetable oil)
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup water
5 egg whites
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Directions:
1. Sift flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and chili powder into the bowl of a standing mixer.
2. In a medium bowl, combine oil, egg yolks, and water. Stir to combine.
3. On a low setting, start to beat the dry mixture and slowly add the wet. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the mixture is incorporated.
4. Transfer mixture to another bowl. Wash and dry mixer bowl.
5. Whip egg whites with whip attachment on medium-high speed until foamy. With the mixer on medium speed, add cream of tartar and slowly add sugar. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form.
6. Scoop a cupful of the stiff egg whites into the batter and stir to combine. This should lighten up the batter.
7. Transfer the batter to the egg whites and gently fold until there are no more streaks of egg white.
8. Scoop into cupcake cups about 2/3s full and bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 15 cupcakes.
--AndreaLeigh
LadyNaava on February 12, 2008 at 09:24 PM
I'm trying to determine what the prevailing taste in this might be. Cinnamon flavor with a spicy accent? Two t. of cinnamon might make these taste fairly lightly seasoned...But the chilis... Very intersting, but probably not my favorite flavor. The meringue is very pretty.
N