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Health & Fitness

Mini Boston Cream Cupcakes for Valentine's Day!

Mini Boston Cream cupcakes are the perfect 'little something' for Valentine's Day.

I recently attended a class at Sur la Table in Newport Beach where we made Boston Cream Cupcakes among other flavors.  Have you ever attended a cooking class?  It's a fun way to spend the morning.  People from all levels of experience attend.  I was one of the more experienced bakers there but I always learn something I didn't know before because the instructors have professional training and they are happy to share their knowledge.

My work station included four other women.  Two were friends who were admittingly there for social reasons where I was instantly invited to join in their conversations. The other was a mother and her very inexperienced grown daughter. We all took turns cracking an egg or watching something bubble on the stove. I let the daughter take most of my turns so she could learn.  I was really there to see what new recipes were being offered of the cupcake kind. One, the Boston Cream cupcake, stirred my imagination.  I felt it had good potential.

I liked the idea of something different other than just plain cupcakes with a topping of buttercream icing.  Although in the class, there was no filling in the cupcakes, I came home and decided to make my own mini cupcakes version with a Valentine's Day twist for decorating using Wilton's big heart sprinkles that I found at the store. I also used the heart sprinkles for edible confetti on the plate.  Who wouldn't have fun with that?

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The photos tell most of the story or you can visit my other blog, Pink Martinis and Pearls where I post copy and photos together for a more comprehensive tutorial but the basics of the recipe use a vanilla-almond cake (recipe below), vanilla pastry cream for the filling (I used Julia Child's recipe from one of her books that I own but the internet is filled with recipes), a chocolate ganache glaze (recipe below) that couldn't be easier to make, then topping the cupcakes off with a swirl of sweetened whipped cream and the sprinkles.

I would love to know what sweet treat you make for Valentine's Day and if you've ever taken a cooking class.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you're really into cupcakes, check out the blog Cupcakes Take The Cake for true cupcake inspiration.  I particularly like what's featured on January 25th. ;)

Vanilla–Almond Cupcakes

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups superfine sugar

3 cups pastry flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pans with papers. In a mixing bowl cream the butter gradually adding the sugar and creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift dry ingredients and add to the mixture alternating with milk, beating well after each addition until smooth.

Pour or scoop the batter into the cupcake papers. Bake for 10-12 minutes for mini cupcakes or 25-30 for regular sized cupcakes. Cool briefly in pans and remove to finish cooling on a rack.

Chocolate Ganache

1 cup heavy cream

6 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweat chocolate, chopped

In a small saucepan, heat cream over medium-high heat to where the cream bubbles along the sides of the pan. Do not boil the cream. Place the chopped chocolate in a bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let the mixture stand as is for 3 minutes without stirring.

After a few minutes, mix the chocolate gently to a smooth consistency. Let it sit for another few minutes to thicken. If it stands too long and becomes too thick to dip the tops of the cupcakes in, reheat in the microwave. Can be refrigerated.

Additional Information:

Crème Patissiere (pastry cream custard filling) Recipe found in, From Julia’s Child’s Kitchen, page 504

‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Love’ Spatulas, glass prep bowls, glass cake stand – Sur la Table

Meri-Meri Cupcake Papers – Sur la Table

Serving Pieces – my own collection

Retail recommendations are based soley on what I personally like. I receive no compensations of any kind.  :)

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