Mini Cornmeal Cupcakes With Maple Butter Cream Food

MINI CORNMEAL CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE BUTTER CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray mini muffin pans with baking spray.
• For the cupcakes: Mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until combined; set aside.
• Whip together the butter and sugar in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment on high speed until it becomes light and fluffy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Beat in 1 egg at a time until well blended; add in the milk and sour cream. Beat in the dry ingredients on low speed until completely mixed in.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are lightly browned and firm in the center. Cool to room temperature.
• For the butter cream: Whip the butter in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment on high speed until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and maple syrup on low speed until combined and then whip it on high speed for 2 to 3 more minutes. Frost cooled cupcakes with the butter cream and serve.

BACON CORNBREAD CUPCAKES WITH HONEY BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the bacon in a cold pan over medium-high heat, flipping three-quarters of the way through cooking, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve the fat.
• Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with some of the reserved fat and set aside. In a big bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and some salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat to a uniform color.
• Chop 10 slices of the bacon coarsely into roughly 1/4-inch pieces. Finely chop the remaining 2 slices and set aside.
• Quickly but gently fold the liquid mixture into the dry mixture. (It should be a loose batter, not a dough. If not, add just a tad more buttermilk or even some cream.) Then, fold in the coarsely chopped bacon.
• Divide the batter among the muffin cups in the prepared tin and bake until the tops are golden and a toothpick comes out somewhat clean, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool for 7 minutes, then turn them out upside-down so they develop a nice thin crust on the baked edge. Cool to just warm or room temperature before frosting, another 7 to 10 minutes.
• Beat the honey, butter and a pinch of salt together with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a large closed-star tip and pipe a generous tablespoon on the tops of each of the cupcakes. Serve.

MAPLE CORNMEAL CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE-BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 18 regular-size muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Beat in 1 teaspoon maple flavor and the eggs. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and 3/4 cup milk, about half at a time, beating just until blended.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients, adding enough milk, until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Frost cupcakes. Garnish each with maple leaf candy.

MAPLE-WALNUT MINI CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place mini paper baking cup in each of 36 mini muffin cups.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and the granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed 2 to 4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk. Stir in 3/4 cup walnuts and 1 teaspoon maple flavor. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each almost full.
• Bake 17 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans to cooling racks; cool completely, about 15 minutes.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon maple flavor, beating until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with turbinado sugar and walnuts.