Paula Deen Sweet Potato Cupcakes Food

SWEET POTATO CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Line twenty four 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. Set aside.
• In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Add sweet potatoes and vanilla, beating until combined (batter will be thick).
• Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 minute. Remove from pan a cool completely.
• Place Cream Cheese Frosting in large resealable plastic bag. Cut a 1/4-inch opening in one corner of bag. Pipe frosting on top of cupcakes. Sprinkle with orange peel.
• CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: In large mixing bowl beat one 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened, and 2/3 cup butter, softened, with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons bourbon or milk and beat until combined. Beat in 8 cups powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until smooth and of good piping consistency. (Makes 4 1/3 cups).

SWEET POTATO CIDER CUPCAKE WITH MARSHMALLOW FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line regular sized cupcake pans with 24 liners. Beat the butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. In a food processor, combine the sweet potatoes, apple cider, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Put aside. In a bowl, combine flour with remaining dry ingredients. Whisk until blended. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture, alternating with the sweet potato mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Bake until golden brown, 22 to 24 minutes. Remove from the pan immediately. Cool completely. For the cider reduction: In a medium saucepan, bring the cider to a boil, add the vanilla bean, and cook until the cider reduces to about 2 cups, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Cook until the cider reduces to about 1 1/2 cups, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to glass bowl. Cover. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until reduction is cooled completely. Can be made up to 3 days in advance. Reserve half for the Marshmallow Cream Frosting and half for assembling the cupcakes. For the marshmallow frosting: In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy, scraping down the bowl occasionally, about 2 minutes. Add the Caramel Cider Reduction and beat until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the marshmallow creme until incorporated. For the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the butter in a bowl in the microwave. Coat the chopped pecan with butter. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt while warm and toss. Cool completely. To assemble: Drizzle a small amount of Caramel Cider Reduction over the top of each cupcake. Generously frost each cupcake with Marshmallow Frosting and sprinkle with Toasted Salted Pecans.