Holiday Fruit Cupcakes With Rum Buttercream Frosting Recipes

COCONUT ROULADE WITH RUM BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet and line the bottom with parchment paper. Lightly butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk 1 cup each flour and granulated sugar, the baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, whisk the 4 egg yolks, vegetable oil, coconut milk and coconut extract. Whisk in the flour mixture in 2 batches.
• Beat the 6 egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium high; gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff, shiny peaks form. Fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture with a rubber spatula, then gently fold in the rest.
• Spread the batter on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the cake is golden and springs back when pressed, 15 to 20 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake with a knife; transfer the baking sheet to a rack and let the cake cool slightly. Dust a large piece of parchment paper with confectioners' sugar. Invert the cake onto the parchment and peel off the parchment on top. Brush the cake with the rum.
• Make the frosting: Whisk the egg whites and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) until the mixture is warm and the sugar dissolves. Remove the bowl from the pan; cool slightly.
• Beat the egg white mixture with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 12 to 15 minutes. Beat in the butter a few pieces at a time, then continue beating until glossy and smooth, 5 to 7 more minutes. (Don't worry if the mixture looks curdled at first; continue beating.) Beat in the rum.
• Spread about 2 cups of the frosting on the cake, then sprinkle with 2 cups coconut. Starting at a short end, roll up the cake, using the parchment to help you. Transfer to a platter, seam-side down. Cover the cake roll with the remaining frosting and sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups coconut.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.
• In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.

HOLIDAY FRUIT CUPCAKES WITH RUM BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 28 regular-size muffin cups. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/3 cup at a time, beating after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and rum extract. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and 1 1/4 cups milk, about half at a time, beating just until blended. Stir in dried fruit and pecans.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
• Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in rum and 3 tablespoons milk. Gradually beat in enough remaining milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make frosting smooth and spreadable. Frost cupcakes. Decorate with dried fruit and pecans.