Snowing

 

Seattle finally got snow. Now I know everyone in Cincinnati is scoffing but we're excited. It was like an inch and it only lasted a day but Saturday night it was beautiful. I was all the way out in West Seattle at a Lord of the Rings Marathon (naturally) and luckily someone was kind enough to drive me back home, but the drive was so pretty.

The snowflakes wafting through peaks of light and dusting my scarf. Ah it was a moment of bliss!

I didn't take very good photos of it but I do have proof :)

Lemon Basil Cupcakes with Kumquat Glaze

 

I had kumquats left over from a rhubarb kumquat tart and decided they'd pair well with a basil cupcake I've been wanting to try out.

These were a big hit at work. They are great because they aren't a super sweet cupcake instead they have a little tang. Plus the little candied kumquats on top are the cutest!

Sadly I was not on top of my game when I was baking I put the batter in cupcake papers and then realized I'd never added the eggs & I dumped the sugar glaze all over the floor at one point - but after they were done I decided they were still worth it! They are really delicious!!!

Lemon Basil Cupcakes

2 1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter; room temp
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup agave (or another cup of sugar)
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
2 tbs basil; finely chopped or I used cubes of frozen basil
zest of 1 lemon
1 cup buttermilk

preheat oven 350 degrees F

1   in a bowl mix flour, baking powder and soda, salt
2   in another bowl beat butter until light and fluffy
3   beat in sugar, agave and vanilla
4   one at a time mix in the eggs
5   then alternate 1/3 flour mixture, 1/2 buttermilk, and so on mixing lightly
     until they are all incorporated
6   spoon 1/4 cup batter into cupcake liners and bake for 13-16 minutes, toothpick
     should come out clean


Lemon Frosting:

1 cup butter; room temp
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tbs lemon juice


1   beat butter until light and fluffy
2   beat in vanilla
3   mix in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time
4   mix in 2 tbs lemon juice, if needed add in more 1 tbs at a time

Candied Kumquats & Glaze

1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6-8 kumquats; thinly sliced
1 tbs basil; finely chopped or I used cubes of frozen basil

1   bring water in sugar to a boil in a small saucepan
2   add in sliced kumquat and basil
3   simmer for 10 minutes
4   with a slotted spatula remove the kumquats and place on parchment paper
5   save the glaze, I put mine in a squeeze bottle to easily top the cupcakes with

to assemble:
1   pipe lemon frosting on cupcakes
2   drizzle glaze over them (the more the better)
3   top with a candied kumquat