Rhubarb Cupcakes With Whipped Cream Recipes

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan over medium heat, cook strawberries, rhubarb, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon butter, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer to small bowl. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups. In small bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups flour, the baking powder and salt; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons strawberry mixture for frosting. In another small bowl, stir together remaining strawberry mixture, 1/3 cup milk and the vanilla.
• In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat until blended. Add half the flour mixture then half of the strawberry mixture, beating well after each addition. Repeat with remaining flour and strawberry mixtures. (Batter will be thick.) Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 tablespoon softened butter and the reserved 2 tablespoons strawberry mixture with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and enough milk until frosting is of desired spreading consistency. Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes.

RHUBARB CUPCAKES WITH WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and 1 cup sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla extract. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the sour cream, and beating until combined after each. Stir in 2 cups diced rhubarb.
• Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored up to 3 days at room temperature in airtight containers; remove liners before topping.
• To make rhubarb topping, use the tip of a paring knife to scrape vanilla-bean seeds into a saucepan, reserving pod for another use (such as vanilla sugar; see page 292). Add the water and remaining 1 cup sugar, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, and stir in remaining 1 cup rhubarb. Let cool completely. Remove rhubarb with a slotted spoon, and reserve. Return liquid to a simmer, and cook until reduced by half, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool slightly, then return rhubarb to syrup. Once cool, rhubarb can be refrigerated in syrup up to 1 week in an airtight container; bring to room temperature before using.
• To finish, dollop a generous amount of whipped cream onto each cupcake, and top with rhubarb and some syrup. Serve immediately.