Strawberry Cupcakes!

I was one of the lucky people to asked to participate in the Cupcake Crawl hosted by @TheGourmetGirl! This was a real honor for me, so I went all out. You may laugh, but as a pastry chef, I a cupcake novice, so I have really just gotten started the last few months on creating some.

My choice for the Crawl:

Strawberry Cupcakes w/Strawberry Liqueur Frosting!

The strawberry liqueur was a tester given to me by Lisa over at Loft Liqueurs, which I have been saving for a worthy cupcake.



For the Cupcakes, you will need:

1/2 c soft butter
3/4 c vanilla sugar
3 large eggs
1 c pastry flour (I used Arrowhead Mills)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 c cream
1/2 c chopped or crushed fresh strawberries mixed with 1 tbsp sugar (just to coat)
2 tsp Strawberry Liqueur



Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.

Cream Butter and sugar until light, add eggs, cream and liqueur. It will look a bit curdled, but its not. Sift your dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in your berries and make sure there is not flour left on the side of the bowl.

DO NOT OVERMIX! This is the danger, flat cupcakes. It takes a light hand and like muffins, its okay if the batter is not totally smooth.

I put one scoop of batter into each liner, if you have left over, you can make more cupcakes! Bake about 12 minutes. Wait patiently while the smell floats across your kitchen and makes you salivate. Pop out of oven and cool, while you make your frosting!



I love my mom's frosting. I have never been much of a cake eater as I am really anti-frosting. My mom's is the most basic and simple recipe and I know that there are a million other mom's out there who make the same one, having like minded children.

Strawberry Liqueur Frosting:
1 stick soft butter
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
3 tbsp Loft Organic Strawberry Liqueur

Whisk until you get the desired constistancy. I love it its a bit runny. Spread on your cupcakes, top with a fresh strawberry and enjoy!



Check out Gourmet Girl Magazine!

Gourmetgirlmagazine.com's Official Blog: Kitchen Rap

Luna's Pick of the Day! Loft Liqueurs

Lisa @ Loft has unveiled the latest flavors to her standing trio of Ginger (my own personal favorite, a zingy & well balanced masterpiece), Lemongrass and Lavender. Her first seasonal flavor, Tangerine is just the right sweet and sour combo of orange goodness.

So how could she top them? Well she couldn't. But she could match them!

The brand new Blueberry is perky and way better than any of the Blueberry Vodka's I have had the misfortune to encounter, so I would really rather have some good vodka and this yummy stuff in my glass.

The second new season flavor is Raspberry and it is wonderful. It tastes like Raspberry! I think I may have to mix it with the Ginger and see what comes up....

SF Chocolate Salon: The Review

The SF Chocolate Salon was a fun and interesting revalation. I learned that cacao grows in Hawaii, and is being used by such wonderful chocolatiers as Chocolatique and Guittard.

I now know that while I like Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, the chocolate bacon bar left me wanting.

I discovered that there are some amazing chocolatiers here in the Bay Area and you will find out, too, as at least two of them have agreed to be interviewed!

For sure you need to check out:
Poco Dolce Toffee Squares

So Cola's Strauss Butter and Cream Filled treats, esp the Burnt Baby Burnt

Edible Love's amazing Absinthe and Elderflower (oh and a host of other delights, which we will discuss further!)

For your cookbook needs hit up the wonderful ladies of Omnivore, as Celia has collected so many she had to open a store!!

Coco-Luxe, very popular here at Kitchen Magic, will be adding wine to the tasting room for pairings, from 122 West Winery, which we look forward to enjoying.

All in all, the salon was a wonderful experience, though I did have a few minor issues: in the future I would like to see it more organized, as people were cutting in line and causing a bit of chaos.

And two I wonder if would be possible for people to not stand directly in front of tables once no longer tasting? That too would help speed things long.

I certainly look forward to more events from the gang at TasteTv!

Loft Liqueurs-Organic and Sustainable!

I recently had the enjoyable experience of meeting Lisa Averbuch, the brain behind Loft Liqueurs. These are organic, sustainable and kosher creations that enchant the tongue.

The three signature flavors are Lavender Cello, which is lovely, delicate and highly enjoyable.

The Lemongrass Cello is light with a golden colour and a very pleasant taste.

My own favorite was the Ginger Cello, a snappy bouquet & spicy, with a not overdone on the palate tingle.

The current seasonal flavor is Tangerine Cello, which brought to mind my Grandfather’s Tangerine tree which grew in the backyard during my childhood. The pop of the fruit was just like it was when I was a kid.

I was also lucky enough to try some of Loft’s future seasonal flavors, the Blueberry, which would by far be better mixed with Vodka than drinking blueberry vodka, and the Raspberry, which was sweet and tart, much the way a real berry is!

I highly encourage you to try these Liqueurs if you have a chance. And I suggest you check them out online. This is a product worth supporting. I want to drink the best of what there is on offer, and I hope you do too!

For more on Loft, make sure you check out my show (link)

www.loftliqueurs.com

To order: www.mondo.com
www.drinkupny.com

A votre sante!