Walnut Cupcakes Topped with Rose White Chocolate Mousse and Baklava

Having a seemingly insatiable sweet tooth, baklava, the sticky-sweet treat of layers of buttery phyllo dough, nuts, and honey syrup, has always appealed to me. None the less, I don’t have it too often as my run-ins with baklava are often of the unfortunate “guess how long I have been sitting in this plastic case” […]
Blueberry & Raspberry Ricotta Almond Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Sometimes you want a tasty treat, but you want to feel like it’s healthy… I had such an occasion when I was expected to bring dessert but on the good-for-you side… I wanted to try using fresh almonds (hooray for vitamin E and “good” fat) instead of almond paste. I figured between the almonds, the berries, […]
Chocolate Cupcakes with Chestnut-Fromage Blanc Frosting and Madeira Wine Glaze
A couple of years ago I visited Portugal for the third time. Specifically, I was on the island of Madeira, the island where my mother grew up. It was a fantastic trip and my mother’s cousins were generous and gracious hosts. I knew I would make a cupcake to commemorate the trip and I knew […]
Cashew, Carrot, Cardamom Cupcakes with Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting
This recipe is inspired by a delicious dessert I had when I was last in India. I actually didn’t know the name of the dessert, but I described it to my coworker and she informed me that what I had was Gajar Halwa or carrot pudding. I considered two preparations, one where I made the […]
Chocolate Bread Pudding Cupcakes with Toasted Walnuts, Homemade Toffee, and Cream
Sometimes I am just so enamored with a cupcake. This is one of those times. These little babies are tasty. Deliciously chocolately while not being too sweet, the burnt taste of the toffee with the cool cream, and add to that the texture and flavor of the nuts!?! Yum! I had a little trouble with […]
Ube Cupcakes with Bubble Buttercream
This is definitely an experimental recipe… one that ended up tasting great, but, trust me, looked a bit funky. I got introduced to Ube in the form of ice cream from Mitchell’s Ice Cream here in San Francisco. I was ready to finally try an Ube cupcake recipe, so I went to Pacific Super, an […]
Pistachio Cupcakes with Rose Petal Buttercream
I made an impromptu decision on a Thursday afternoon to make cupcakes for a party on Friday afternoon. I knew I wanted to make pistachio cupcakes, my homage to Indian sweets. I didn’t have a lot of time or options, so I ran out at lunch to the Ferry Building, conveniently located across the street […]
Banana Cupcakes, a Few Ways
I had request for cupcakes this weekend. They had to be good for breakfast (muffins) and have banana in them. I didn’t want to make a muffin, so I stuck with a cupcake recipe and planned to go light on the frosting. I made two attempts (two full attempts, but a total of three different […]
Carrot Orange Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Orange Peel Nest
I normally don’t feel very inspired to make themed cupcakes for holidays. I consider it dangerous territory into which I don’t dare tread. I never say never, though, that’s for sure. And this past week I was indeed inspired by the colorful caramel robin’s eggs that were for sale at Peet’s Coffee. The vibrant blue […]
Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache
I warn you, do not eat these cupcakes without a tall glass of milk nearby. They are crazy rich. I made these peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes for my aunt. She is going to a ladies-only sleepover party down in Cupertino. While I have not been to one these parties, the way my aunt describes […]