Rose & Cherry Cupcakes

Since Erin is still taking it easy and resting with the new baby, I have spent a lot of time at her house this week taking the other kids to school and picking them up.  I suppose I am telecommuting since I am working from her house.  Anyway, her birthday was March 26 and I wanted to make it a little special, even though we are doing the celebration when she is back on her feet.  After all, 27 is an important birthday.

Erin loves anime, cherry blossom scented body items, and has a real affinity for Japan…so I wanted to make something in that theme but also easy since I would be cooking at her house with limited resources.

I used a white cake mix as the base on this.  I wasn’t sure what she had and what she didn’t.  Use any white cake recipe that you like, or even a cake mix-no one is going to know.

The rose and cherry flavor of the cake was delicate and floral.  The house smelled amazing.  The green tea frosting was the perfect compliment to give this dish an exotic flair.  It was quick enough that I had everything done in less than an hour and a half, including smoked turkey, dried cranberry, and pecan tea sandwiches that I made for her.

Rose & Cherry Cupcakes

• 1 box white cake mix or your favorite white cake recipe (Use the egg white only version, the yolks will change the color)
• 1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained and juice reserved
• 1 tablespoon high quality  rose water

Make your cake batter according to instructions but substituting the cherry juice for as much of the liquid as possible.  If the recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, for example, use the cherry juice and add heavy cream to make up a cup.  Place in cupcake liners and bake according to instructions.

Meanwhile make the frosting.

Green Tea Frosting

• 1 green tea teabag
• 1/4 cup water, brought to a boil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond flavor
• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• pinch kosher salt
• 1/2 c white shortening
• 1/4 c unsalted butter

Beat confectioner’s, butter, shortening, and salt together until crumbly.

Add flavorings and beat well.

Add cooled green tea until the desired consistancy is reached.

Frost the cooled cupcakes with the frosting and use the maraschino cherries as garnish.

Makes 24 or so.

image: maryeaudet2009