Friday, February 15, 2008

Tomorrow is another Chardonnay

So this month the lovely Laurie at Quirky Cupcake and her lovely cohost Tempered Woman are hosting Cupcake Hero Liquor. I believe I've mentioned this already. Yes, yes, I've already entered the oh so delicious Blackberry Cabernet Cupcakes. And although massive butt-kissing can't possibly hurt my chances of being declared the next cupcake hero, I really have more humanitarian motives. Although Quirky Cupcake and Tempered Woman are really great blogs and you, yes I'm talking to YOU there, should go check them out.

It occured to me last weekend at a family gathering where my one sister in law sat there drinking her white wine while the rest of the women drank red. Some women do not like red wine. Some women actually prefer a WHITE wine. This got me to thinking. It became clear that I would just have to buckle down and make a Chardonnay cupcake. I had a 4 pack of Chardonnay at home. But what goes with Chardonnay. Besides fish. and chicken.

It took me a long time to think of it, but finally I persevered. I decided I would have to do a fruit and most of the fruits that I thought of would fall under the "yucky fruit" list: mangoes, kiwi, strawberries. Finally I decided on pear. pear falls decidedly below apples and blackberries, just above oranges, and is way way better than kiwi. I would make Pear Chardonnay Cupcakes!

They turned out delicious! The wine taste mingled with the pear taste and the resulting cupcakes turned out lightly fruity. In a good way. When I gave them to testers, they spent some time trying to figure out what the flavor was exactly. They were also impressed that I could make a tasty cupcake out of a fruit I don't really like, and a wine I don't drink often. Interesting enough I have a mostly full jar of pear juice that the Brain isn't terribly fond of either if anyone wants it, or can suggest a good use for it.

Today is also my mom's birthday. She's 65 and a lot of fun. She has 7 kids and 5 grandkids. She's working on 3 different quilts right now. In fact, she's in the other room quilting away. She's a really intelligent great lady, so this batch of cupcakes went to her instead of birthday cake. She really likes them. OH yeah and check out her blog over here. It's pretty funny and very short. Happy Birthday Mom!

Pear Chardonnay Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup Chardonnay
1/2 bosc pear, peeled and chopped small

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, mix butter sugar and eggs until smooth and creamy; add the vanilla and mix well.
In a small bowl, mix baking powder and flour; add to creamed mixture.
Add white wine and mix well, but be carefull not to overmix. Add chopped pears.
Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely on wire racks


Frosting:
1/2 cup pear juice
1/4 cup Chardonnay
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
3 oz. cream cheese
4 c. powdered sugar

Mix the pear juice, Chardonnay, and dark brown sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer uncovered until mixture is reduced to 1/4 cup and is thick and syruppy. Set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl cream together butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar carefully and beat well. Pour thickened pear Chardonnay syrup into mixing bowl and beat until well combined. Frost cupcakes and enjoy.

10 comments:

glamah16 said...

Well ironically I'm drinking a glass of unoaked Chardonnay right now. And I love pears. Great combo. Pineapple perhaps could have been used as well. As for the leftover pear juice , a caramel pear ice cream perhaps!

CB said...

Dang. I gots major CH competition this month! ::mumbles under breath:: overachiever... hehee. Great job!
-Clara
http://iheartcuppycakes.wordpress.com

slush said...

I am totally cracking up at you right now. But your so right, some people don't appreciate red! (And half the time, I am one of them. Don't tell TW though, Im afraid she will disown me.)

They look amazing Mary, and Happy Birthday to your Mom!!

Cynthia said...

You can send me the pear juice. I love pears!

Cupcake combo sounds downright delicious, I wouldn't mind getting high on them. Ooops! Did I say that aloud? (lol)

Hope you your had a great day! Going to check out her blog now :)

Tempered Woman said...

I heart pears! My favorite is pear avocado smoothies. Sounds weird I know but is very sublime.
I think it is pure genius to make a red and white wine cupcake. You are absolutely right. And pears are a very common match up. In fact it is used to describe many whites. Way to totally stack the contest in your favor. Great job!!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Lovely cupcakes and happy birthday to your mom!

Pixie said...

I am a lover of white wine. Your cupcakes sound delicious.

And if you can't get hold of vine leaves let me know and I will gladly send some to you!

LisaRene said...

I think it's great that you provided a white wine cupcake for the wine wine drinkers. Like you, I prefer red but I certainly wouldn't turn down the chance to taste a Chardonnay cupcake!

I do love pears and would use the pear juice to make muffins. Simply substitute the juice for the liquid and add some flavoring to compliment pears, maybe ginger or lavender.

Emily said...

Happy Birthday Mom!

I think pear chardonnay cupcakes sound quite good. The frosting recipe looks nice as well.
I'm sorry...did you say you didn't like strawberries? Did I read that wrong?

Anonymous said...

I love a good frosted glass of wine. And, what a fab photo. I hope my Child has one like that of me on his blog when he grows up.