Sunday, April 24, 2011

Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins





Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins
Adapted from: So Tasty So Yummy

Yields: 15 muffins

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries, divided

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixer cream together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar. Add the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla and mix until just combined.

In a bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and the salt. Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.

Fold in 1 cup of strawberries. Spoon batter into a paper lined muffin pan. Fill the muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full and top with remaining 1/4 cup chopped strawberries (2-3 pieces per muffin, lightly press into the dough.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until the tops are golden. Cool on a cooling rack.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella and Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting





Chocolate Cupcakes with Nutella, and Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting


Cupcakes adapted from Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcakes
Frosting adapted from My Baking Addiction

Yield: 3 dozen cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:
2/3 cup Nutella
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:
10 ounces cream cheese, softened
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1 pound powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 cups), sifted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup Nutella
1 pound confectioners’ sugar (about 3 3/4 cups), sifted
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
For the Cupcakes
Line 3 dozen muffin cups with cupcake liners or grease using non-stick spray. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 5 minutes, until it is pale and thick. Add in the eggs. Mix until combined. Add in the nutella. Now, add in the buttermilk. Beat until well incorporated.

Add the flour mixture in 3 increments and beat until smooth. Divide batter into the cupcake tins. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:
Cream the butter and cream cheese in the large mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add the vanilla. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat on high speed until fluffy and smooth, adding milk or additional sugar (if needed) to reach desired consistency.

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting:
Cream the butter and cream cheese in the large mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add the Nutella and vanilla and continue to cream. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat on high speed until fluffy and smooth, adding milk or additional sugar (if needed) to reach desired consistency.