August 4, 2009

Mountain Dew Cupcakes (adapted from Quirky Cupcake via How to Eat a Cupcake)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temp
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Mountain Dew (alas, no Diet)
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
zest from 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime
1 1/4 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a measuring cup, combine Mountain Dew and concentrated orange juice. Do not use Diet Mountain Dew; aspartame breaks down when heated, and sweetness will be lost.

3. Combine butter, sugar, and zest in a large bowl. With a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Scrape the sides of the bowl before adding flour.

4. Add dry mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the wet in 2 additions, beating on low speed until just combined. (I like to finish mixing with a spatula after the last addition of flour.)

5. Pour batter into cupcake papers about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Mountain Dew Cupcake Frosting

1 cup Mountain Dew
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
zest from 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime
food coloring

1. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of Mountain Dew to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat until it no longer bubbles (medium-low or low depending on your stove). Let Mountain Dew evaporate for about 15 minutes. It should reduce by 3/4. You should end up with between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of syrup. Pour it in a small glass measuring cup to cool.

2. Sift the confectioners’ sugar into a mixing bowl. Add butter and beat, gradually increasing speed to high, until combined. Pour in heavy cream and Mountain Dew syrup. Continue mixing on high until fluffy. Add orange juice concentrate, zest, and food coloring to taste. Mix on low speed until combined.

Note: Frosting a bit too sweet; next time add cream cheese?