Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013

Chai Vanilla Bean Cupcakes (& a Giveaway!)

Update Oct. 2, 2013: Congratulations to Rheta, Entry #5!! Thank you so much for entering-I have sent you an e-mail! 

Today I’m slightly freaking out.  I’ve been dreading this day for the past year-*groan*.  25 years old.  A quarter of a century year old.  Now I’m in my late 20’s.   How depressing is that???  Trying not to freak out….trying not to freak out!   I was seriously debating sitting in my room all day eating cake.  That sounds like a great option to pass the day!  

I do have plenty to be thankful for so-a great guy, family & friends.  And….of course, my twin, Marlina!  We talk the same, laugh the same, and pretty much do the same stuff.  I am so lucky to have her in my life-I don’t know what I would do without her.  We’ve shared a love for chai tea latte’s for as long as I can remember, so I thought it was appropriate to post this.  These cupcakes are simply delicious-a perfect blend of spices.  I only made a dozen cupcakes because well, they go by quickly. So when we finally get together and celebrate, I will make these for you!  Love you Mar & Happy Birthday!

And in trying to make light of today…we have decided to host our first giveaway-how exciting! The deets are below!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

One winner will receive a $50 gift card to Amazon, delivered via email. Canadian & US residents only.

HOW TO ENTER

To enter to win, simply use the rafflecopter.com widget as entered below.

You can receive up to TWO additional entries (via rafflecopter) to win by doing the following:

1. Let us know your favorite fall recipe!

2. Become a fan of Peaches & Cream on Facebook.

Deadline: Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2013 at 11:59pm PST

Disclaimer: Canadian & US residents only. Must be of age of majority in the province/state/territory you live in. Void where prohibited by law. The winner will be announced at the top of this post. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Winners will be chosen using rafflecopter.com.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck-be sure to share with your friends! Wish everyone could win! :D

Chai Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

Chai Spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoon cardamom

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cloves

Cupcakes

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoons baking soda
½ mixture of chai spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cups water

1 cups sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter,softened
1 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 vanilla bean, scraped

1 large egg

Chai Vanilla Bean Buttercream
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
½ vanilla bean, scraped

½ mixture of chai spice
up to 3 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS

Chai Spice

In a small bowl, mix together all the chai spices & set aside.

Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the cupcake tins with paper liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ½ of the chai spice mixture and salt. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Combine water & sugar. Bring to a simmer and stir until all the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until melted & allow to cool. Whisk in the vegetable oil and vanilla bean scrapings. Beat in the eggs and whisk in dry ingredients until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between cupcake liners, approximately 2/3 full. Place in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until toothpick is inserted in the centre and comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

Vanilla Chai Bean Buttercream

In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. 

Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Increase speed to medium, add the vanilla bean, chai spice & milk until well incorporated.

Decorate with a pastry bag fitted with decorative tip-any kind you choose. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Source: adapted from The Novice Chef