Cookbooks

Decorate a batch (or two) of cupcakes with pig, mouse, monkey, or lion faces, or make a few of each animal for a sweet set. You can use most any cupcake flavor for these creatures; try banana-pecan cupcakes (page 41; nuts can be omitted) or roasted banana cupcakes (page 141) for the monkeys. Before adding the facial features, lightly mark the placement in the frosting with a round cookie cutter (or use a skewer or toothpick).

Ganache—a smooth mixture of chocolate and cream—is one of the richest, most luscious of all chocolate frostings. The frosting is made in the same manner as the chocolate ganache glaze (opposite), and then allowed to thicken until the frosting is spreadable. Achieving the perfect consistency can be tricky; if the frosting becomes too firm to spread, reheat in a bowl over a pan of simmering water until it begins to melt around the edges, then remove from heat and stir until smooth.

Chopped fresh strawberries are folded into the cupcake batter, and thin slices are added as a garnish for a pretty-in-pink treat. Strawberry buttercream (made with jam) ups the fruit-flavor ante, but sweetened whipped cream (page 316) is an easy and delicious alternative.

Food historians may differ about the origin of red velvet cake, but one thing is certain: The cupcakes have gained widespread popularity in recent years. Many believe the name comes from the naturally reddish hue of cocoa powder, which is enhanced by a chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda. Today, most versions rely on food color (although some bakers use beet juice) to achieve a vivid shade. Gel-paste food color is much more concentrated than the supermarket liquid variety; if you substitute the liquid, you may need to add an entire bottle (1.5 ounces) to achieve the desired shade. Cream-cheese frosting is the classic choice.

This delicious icing has a tendency to separate. If it does, warm it in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water; whisk until smooth, adding a bit more milk, if necessary, to achieve the right consistency

Salted caramels, including chocolate varieties, have become quite popular in recent years; a touch of salt draws out caramel’s buttery taste and highlights the sweetness. This cupcake, created with the candy’s popularity in mind, serves as an excellent incentive to try your hand at making caramel at home. The soft caramel centers hide under a piped peak of satiny chocolate frosting. Fleur de sel, a type of sea salt prized for its distinctive flavor, is available at specialty stores; if you can’t find it, you may substitute another sea salt, such as Maldon.

Using meringue powder (or powdered egg whites), instead of raw egg whites, eliminates food-safety concerns. Look for the powder at baking-supply stores and many supermarkets. Royal icing hardens quickly, so if not using immediately, transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator, up to one week; before using, stir with a flexible spatula until smooth.

Follow this recipe to make a glaze with any citrus flavor, such as orange, lemon, or lime.

Calling all coconut lovers: These cupcakes get intense flavor from ground sweetened coconut and coconut milk in the batter, billowy seven-minute frosting spiked with coconut extract, and a garnish of unsweetened coconut flakes (available at natural-food stores). Be sure to buy only unsweetened coconut milk, not the sweeter varieties (such as Coco Lopez) used to make mixed drinks.

Contrary to its name, pastry cream—a classic custard filling for cakes, tarts, pastries, and other baked goods—contains no cream, only milk. Be sure to bring the mixture to a full boil to activate the cornstarch and ensure proper thickening.

A high proportion of lemon juice gives curd its intense flavor. As an acid, the juice also prevents the yolks from curdling when heated (unlike when making pastry cream, which requires the extra step of tempering). You can substitute an equal amount of juice from other citrus, such as lime, grapefruit, or blood orange.

The old campfire classic takes on a new identity as a charming cupcake. Graham flour, available at health-food stores and specialty markets, flavors the cupcake base, which is topped with chocolate glaze and piled high with piped sticky marshmallow frosting, browned to mimic the effects of toasting over a fire.

This familiar dessert topping makes a versatile last-minute embellishment for cupcakes. It can be dolloped on top as an alternative to heavier frostings, or used as a filling for split cupcakes. Whether you use a handheld whisk or an electric mixer to whip the cream, be sure not to overmix, or the consistency can become grainy. For unsweetened whipped cream, simply omit the sugar.

Celebrating the guest of honor is as easy as A-B-C with these letter-cookie cupcake toppers. To create the cookies, cut rounds from sugar cookie cutouts (two different sizes are shown, but just one will do), then cut a letter from the inside of each round with a mini cookie cutter (see Sources, page 342). Instead of a single letter, you can make a set of cookies featuring the entire alphabet (you will need a couple more cupcakes to show them off), a great idea for a party full of preschoolers just learning their letters.

This billowy meringue is used to pipe the “mushrooms” for the fruitcakes on page 249 as well as the flowers for the meringue bouquet cupcakes on page 264. (It is also serves as the foundation for Swiss meringue butter-cream on page 304.)

You will likely make these cupcakes again and again, varying the frosting (say, dark chocolate, page 302) and sprinkles (sparkly, multicolored, or otherwise) to suit your whim or fancy. Two types of flour contribute to the cupcakes’ singular texture: Cake flour makes for a delicate crumb, while all-purpose flour keeps them from being too tender.

This all-purpose dough bakes rich and dark cutouts, and it can be rolled again and again with little compromise in texture. Follow the recipe below to make your own designs, or cut and bake as directed in specific cupcake recipes.