Description
Indulgent berries and cream cupcakes combine classic French pastry techniques with American bakery charm. Delicate layers of vanilla sponge cradle fresh berry compote, crowned with silky mascarpone frosting that you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter
- 4 cups (454 g) confectioners’ sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot water
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
- 3 oz (85 g) cream cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup freeze-dried mixed berries
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp almond extract
- 3–4 tbsps water or milk
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh berries, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat: Set oven to 350°F and arrange cupcake liners in a tray, spacing them evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift flour mixture in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform consistency.
- Combine Wet Elements: Whisk milk, oil, vanilla, and egg in a separate bowl until fully blended.
- Create Batter: Fold wet ingredients into dry components, stirring until smooth and lump-free, then gently incorporate hot water at low speed.
- Fill and Bake: Distribute batter into liners, filling halfway, and bake for 15-17 minutes until a toothpick comes out nearly clean.
- Cool Cupcakes: Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to reach room temperature.
- Prepare Berry Frosting: Pulse freeze-dried berries into fine powder, then cream butter until silky and gradually add powdered sugar, water, and salt until smooth.
- Infuse Berry Flavor: Fold berry powder into frosting, ensuring even color and taste distribution.
- Craft Cream Filling: Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and almond extract to soft peaks, then blend in cream cheese until peaks become firm.
- Assemble Cupcakes: Core centers, fill with cream mixture, pipe berry frosting using a star tip, and garnish with fresh berries.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate until ready to enjoy, maintaining optimal texture and freshness.
Notes
- Flour Sifting Trick: Always sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and ensure a smoother, more consistent cupcake texture.
- Mixing Method Mastery: Fold wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to dense, tough cupcakes.
- Temperature Timing: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before filling and frosting to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.
- Berry Powder Power: Crush freeze-dried berries into a fine powder for intense, concentrated flavor without adding extra moisture to the frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 51 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg