Raspberry Almond Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache


May 19th, 2008

Kids between the ages of 3 and 7 are pretty amazing.  They’re little screaming, snotting, jumping, and crashing balls of honesty.  If they don’t like you, you know it.  If they recognize you for the poopoo head that you are, they’re not afraid to tell you- to your face, in ear piercing tones.  They haven’t yet developed the ability to filter their opinion of you.  It’s simultaniously refreshing and completely unsettling.    

That’s why, whenever I meet new kids, I come with cupcakes.  Not just cupcakes, but cupcakes with sprinkles.  It works every time.  It’s irresistable.  It’s my dirty little trick.  Walk into their house with cupcakes and a smile on your face, and you’ve got an instant friend.  And when they come and thank you for the cupcake with chocolate all over their face- well, there’s nothing better.     

These cupcakes are dinner party perfect.  They’re light and delicate with the flavors of almond and fresh raspberry.  Great for adults and not too overpowering and strange for kids.  The chocolate ganache is not too sweet or heavy and spreads on the cupcake with a beautiful sheen.  Kids absolutely love them, but they’re sophisticated enough to enjoy with coffee long after the kiddies have gone to bed.  Thank you Courtney, Bill and cutie Macallan for a beautiful dinner.  

 

Raspberry Almond Cupcakes

     makes 12 cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup whole milk

1/3 cup fresh raspberries, roughly chopped

Put a rack in the middle of the oen and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line muffin cups with paper liners.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt inside a bowl.

Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Beat in egg and almond extract.  Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and milk alternately in 3 batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and beating just until incorporated.  Fold in the raspberries.  

Divide the batter among lined muffin cups.  Bake until pale golden and a wooden pick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes.  Turn cupcakes out onto a rack to cool completely.

Spread frosting on cupcakes once cooled.

Chocolate Ganache

3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (I used chocolate chunks)

1/4 cup heavy cream

Put chocolate chips in a small bowl.  Bring cream to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan.  Pour cream evenly over chocolate.  Let stand for one minute to soften, then stir until smooth.  If frosting is too loose to spread, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, frosting will continue to thicken as it stands.   




20 Responses to “Raspberry Almond Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache”

  1. Aria on May 19, 2008 7:45 am

    I was just skimming this yummy recipe and I didn’t see the almonds…are they ground? Thanks!

  2. Alicia on May 19, 2008 7:56 am

    Perhaps the vanilla extract is supposed to say almond extract? Looks like a delicious recipe.

  3. mimi on May 19, 2008 8:07 am

    wow, look how dark that ganache is! what a beautiful yummy looking cupcake!

  4. joythebaker on May 19, 2008 8:50 am

    You’re so right Alicia- the vanilla extract was supposed to be almond extract! Thanks Aria! Thanks Alicia! I’ve changed it!

  5. patsyk on May 19, 2008 9:39 am

    You are a very wise woman! Yep, walk in to a home or gathering with kids and you have cupcakes… you’ll have new best friends within minutes! :) These cupcakes sound absolutely delicious!

  6. CB on May 19, 2008 10:14 am

    Nothing says “cool mommy-daddy’s friend” like cupcakes. I starred this recipe to try soon! Sounds yum :)

  7. dawn on May 19, 2008 1:19 pm

    Ohh I just love your creations. I love to stop by once a week if I can to check out your perfect culinary creations.
    That ganache has such a deep chocolate color.

  8. Holly on May 19, 2008 7:02 pm

    Oh, with your cupcakes, I’ll bet this method would work on the adults too. It is a very good plan of action though. I know my crazy 4 (almost 5) year old would love it!

  9. rose on May 20, 2008 7:34 am

    I’m always looking for a new twist for cupcakes. I find they are more fun for both adults and children than cake. Thanks for the recipe it’s great!

  10. diva@theSugarBar on May 20, 2008 8:46 am

    mmm. i’m gonna have to make this soon! looks so yummy. perfect ganache.

  11. Katie on May 20, 2008 11:57 am

    Ohhh yum. Who could resist such a yummy looking cupcake.

  12. Mike on May 20, 2008 2:13 pm

    Just made ‘em. Tasty and beautiful. Will have to double the recipe next time. Thanks.

  13. Hillary on May 20, 2008 2:31 pm

    What a gorgeous little cupcake. That ganache looks incredible!

  14. Shannon on May 20, 2008 3:27 pm

    These look delicious! I have found my new favorite blog!!

  15. superluckykitchen on May 20, 2008 5:13 pm

    i went to a dinner party and brought cupcakes this past weekend, their three year old said, “i like you, you brought cupcakes last time too”

  16. giz on May 20, 2008 6:08 pm

    I love your ankle biter description. I did just that - took cupcakes for the kids - a few days later I got a call - my niece said “Auntie Giz…that raspberry on the top has fur and it’s yucky”….oh…we were supposed to put them in the fridge?”

  17. Julie on May 20, 2008 7:01 pm

    Oh my gosh! I want one!

  18. Ice Cream Cupcakes at Joy The Baker on May 23, 2008 5:12 pm

    […] creative and top your cupcakes with anything you like.  Whipped cream, chocolate ganache or caramel would be […]

  19. Christine on June 9, 2008 6:03 pm

    where’s a good place to buy chocolate for baking? these look fantastic!

  20. Six Rules to Bake By at Joy The Baker on June 18, 2008 8:34 pm

    […] certain temperature.  Well… you should.  What the recipe is trying to tell you is that your cupcakes, or loaf of zucchini bread, or blackberry muffins need to combine with a certain temperature to do […]

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