songs to make cupcakes to
March 5, 2011 at 8:09 am 22 comments
Cupcakes were on the menu.
Nothing fancy, just simple little numbers to be eaten after dinner. Mr Chocolate’s parents were coming over. A special dinner to celebrate my father-in-laws birthday and to also celebrate the fact that he and Mr Chocolate’s mother had been in the country for 40 years. I was thinking a pavlova with a few typical Australian flavours thrown in, however Mr Chocolate seemed to think vanilla cupcakes would be better. Needing a tiny excuse to make mascarpone, I agreed.
The boys were out, and I had myself a little mama time. Time to get the oven cranked and perhaps some music to.
What songs to make cupcakes to?…
I used the Strawberry Vanilla Cake recipe, and just changed it to mini cupcakes.
Now how to make your own mascarpone?
Thanks to my trusty The Real Food Companion book, I wanted to have a go at making it. Mascarpone is soft and mild Italian cheese. It’s usually quite expensive to buy, but well worth it to be used in desserts, such as Tiramisu or my birthday meringue cake last year. I also use it diligently instead of a butter frosting for cakes. I had tried to make it late last year, but wasn’t bowled over with the results. So I wanted to redeem myself. Now where was that mascarpone love?
Mascarpone
300mls cream
2 teaspoons lemon juice
In a pot bring the cream to a simmer, adding the lemon juice and cook for about 1 and half minutes. Allow the cream to cool completely in the pot, and then pour into a muslin lined strainer and leave for 1-2 days in the fridge. For this one I popped in a vanilla bean directly after I had turned the pot off and allowed the bean to infuse with the cream for about 15 minutes. I then gently squeezed the tiny vanilla specks out, and into the fridge the whole lot went for at least 24 hours.
Result, is a speckled mascarpone, with a lovely real vanilla flavour. Just cream, lemon juice and vanilla bean.
It came out thick, smelling lovely and tasted like mascarpone. You have to plan a little a head of time but it beats buying it.
Quickly whisked it up a little, and then adding 1/2 cup of icing sugar to the mixture. Slap it on to the cupcakes and decorate with strawberries.
Optional Australian flag.
****
…but the songs, what about the songs to make cupcakes to?…
Like this:
Entry filed under: food glorious food. Tags: celebration, cheese, easy, food, home made, making your own mascarpone, quick, recipes, strawberry vanilla cupcakes.
1.
Joanna @ Zeb Bakes | March 5, 2011 at 9:42 am
Ooh I’ve never made mascarpone, I’m up for that – thanks for the methodology and look at those gorgeous fresh fruit cupcakes!
I played your song and found them on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH9ifwkPZO4 It’s always fun to hear bands you’ve never heard of
2.
Johanna GGG | March 5, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I am not very familiar with marscapone – but am fascinated at how you use it to ice cupcakes – they look very pretty with the strawberries
am also glad to see these australian flags being used because I bought some and forgot to use them and since they have just lingered in the garlic bowl which is no way to treat the flag!
3.
Bruise Mouse | March 5, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Wow. These look amazing. I will definitely give the mascapone a go. I bought some more muslin last week so I must have know this was coming.
Now, I don’t know about cooking music but I just finished a morning of cleaning with the help of The Stone Roses.
4.
dixiebelle | March 5, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Oh, you’re just killin’ me here… I am reading blogs, with a cup of tea, and no, not a single yummy cupcake in this house!
5.
bagnidilucca | March 5, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Thatks for the marscapone recipe. It is quite cheap (and good) here in Italy, but I would definitely make this in Brisbane as some brands are not great.
6.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella | March 5, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Ooh yes making your own mascarpone is such a money saver! I love making it myself but I also like the idea of adding vanilla to it too!
I never thought of doing that!
7.
Mrs Bok | March 5, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Oh yum! Must try! Miss Bok just caught sight of your cupcakes and now has made me promise to make butterfly cupcakes tomorrow LOL so easily suckered in I am especially as it means I’ll get to eat them…
8.
Yvette | March 5, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Your marscapone looks delicious! I’ve never made my own either, another kitchen challenge to be had! x
9.
Mariana | March 5, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try this. Is the cream you used, thickened or pure or unhomogenised? Does it matter? I did a cheesemaking course late last year and these things mattered.
10.
heidi | March 6, 2011 at 1:07 am
I’m excited to try
your recipe, as well, Brydie!
And your cupcakes make beautiful music all by themselves.
But I like your choice of music- thanks for sharing.
11.
blushingstrawberries | March 6, 2011 at 4:50 am
This is awesome!! I’ve never even thought to make it, but I also never buy it because of the cost!! Genius woman
… and please don’t judge me if I tell you that I love baking cupcakes to Celine Dion, turned full volume!
12.
Celia | March 6, 2011 at 7:48 am
Brydie, you’re so clever! I didn’t know you could make mascarpone at home! Love the specks of vanilla!
13.
turid | March 6, 2011 at 8:05 am
I must just say that I absolutely love your photographs. They are… what should I say… Edible. And soft. And beautiful. You have a very laid back and lovely way of writing – almost like you’re talking to me over the kitchen table, telling stories over coffee.
I salute your cupcakes!
14.
Mary | March 6, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Your cupcakes look wonderful, but your cheese recipe takes the cake today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary
15.
inesbrenneman | March 6, 2011 at 9:05 pm
I will be giving this a go, mascapone is too expensive and I never use it all. I will however make the Tiramisu I have been promising my daughter for a while now.
Thanks for sharing
16.
Anna Johnston | March 6, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Love the mascaphone, its gorgeous. Hmmmm… songs to make cupcakes too… I wanna say something poppy and catchy, maybe some Gaga? Avril maybe…
I am down with your lovely cupcakes, they look good enough for me to chomp on now… Yummo!
17.
Amanda | March 7, 2011 at 11:40 am
Brydie, this is brilliant! I didn’t know that you could make mascarpone at home and I never thought about using it in cake frosting, but I’ll bet it is just creamy and divine. I suppose that any leftover iced cakes (I know, what a ludicrous idea!) would need to be refrigerated?
18.
Christine | March 7, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Yum, Brydie! I haven’t tried making mascarpone at home yet – it’s on The List. How much do you end up with after the draining? We love mascarpone simply with icing sugar stirred through alongside fresh berries – delish. Nice touch there with the Aussie flag – I bet your recipients were touched!
19.
Choclette | March 12, 2011 at 8:18 am
Fantastic, I’m going to have to make mascarpone now. I still haven’t used it for frosting and keep thinking I must. Now I really must!
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21.
Nic@daydreamaboutfood | May 29, 2011 at 6:12 am
Definitely making this. Thanks for the great recipe:)
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