Monday, August 15, 2011

Earl Grey Infused Cupcakes with Creamcheese-Lemon Frosting

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Sad times.
It's probably not the best idea to start a post with these two words, but due to recent events in England I feel obliged to do so.
When I first heard the news about a father shot by the police in Tottenham I was totally absorbed with working on a project report for university, hence not really in "caring mode". For the moment I just filed it under "Sad Things That Happen" and basically left it there for two days, not really caring about what was going on in the world. That is what happens pressed for time.
It took me another couple of days to really realise what was going on and let me just say: It hit me rather hard.
Maybe it was because I lived in London for best part of last autumn.

stpauls
St. Paul's Cathedral. My very favourite sight in London.


I started to catch up with everything that happened, reading every article I could find from all sources possible and still, I just cannot comprehend what is going on. I feel like there is a gap between a father of four yet alleged drugdealer being shot and the aftermath. One event - as terrible it might have been yet rather 'small' in relation - caused a whole city (and beyond) to riot. 

So, what IS the reason? Who knows, mate.

Racial tension? Maybe. I find it interesting how articles are rather tip-toeing around that issue. Sadly, it's there. Unemployement? Political cuts? Also likely. I honestly still cannot make up my mind and I don't think I am alone with that. It's a sociological, racial and political timebomb fueled by anger, sadness and frustration.

There surely was a reason, and while I don't approve the execution, it cerainly was justified. Any actual cause has vanished because of 'criminal opportunists', though.  All that looting. I hope you ***** enjoy your new XBoxes.

Keeping in mind that not all of London or England is that way, today's Britain-inspired recipe is a cupcake with a sophisticated twist: Earl Grey tea. The texture really is lovely; nice, moist and spongey with the tea rather accentuating than overpowering the flavour.

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Earl Grey Infused Cupcakes
Makes 12.
  • 200ml cream (6.7 fl. oz)
  • 190g sugar (1 cup)
  • 260g all-purpose flour (2 cups)
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 shots of milk
  • 4 teabags of Earl Grey tea

    1. Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Line muffin pan.
    2. In a small pot, bring cream to simmer. Turn off heat immediately and add teabags. Let them steep for ten minutes, squeezing them well afterwards so there is not too much cream coming to waste. Set aside for a moment to let it cool off a little.
    3. Pour all ingedients in a medium bowl, adding the tea-infused cream at last. Mix everything together either with a hand mixer or food processor, making sure not to overbeat the batter. It should only take a few seconds.
    4. Pour batter into cupcake lines. I sprinkled some with sugar, but found it not to be the best idea as those did not rise evenly,
    5. Bake on centre rack for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    03
    See that white crust? That was sprinkled sugar.


    Creamcheese-Lemon Frosting
    Depending on how much frosting you want to put on your cupcakes, you might want to double the recipe.
     
    • 120g cream cheese (1/2 cup)
    • 120g powdered sugar (2/3 cup)
    • 120g butter (1/2 cup), softened
    • Zest of one lemon

    1. In medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together into a homogeneous mass.
    2. Frost completely cooled off cupcakes after your fancy.
    This time, I also sprinkled the cupcakes with some blue tainted sugar.

    01

    Enjoy! And remember what a beautiful country England is with problems like every other.



      14 comments:

      1. I live in the UK, in South Wales on the border, but have been to London often and am in Uni in Birmingham (where the riots spread to). It is indeed such a sad time to see family businesses and beautiful old buildings just ruined by mindless acts of vandalism. In answer to your question 'why?' i think a lot of it in the end was just bored people joining in for the fun of it and wanting to loot, they didnt really know why themselves! Just wanted to 'take back their taxes' as one idiotic woman put it as she was nicking stuff!

        ANYWAY, enough of that deep chat when i have a gorgeous cupcake staring me in the face :) This sounds so unique and a winner of a flavour combo, definitely being bookmarked :) lovely thought provoking post

        ReplyDelete
      2. @Milka, thank you! Yes, they are! ;)

        @Procrastobaker. First things first: your name made me smile. :)

        And I completely agree with you. It seems that some people thought of it as a jester's licence kind of situation and it is shocking how little it takes for these fools to lose that small amount of decency they had.
        I might get back to London in September for a few days and am already worried about the damage I'll see.

        Glad that you like the recipe!

        Tobias

        ReplyDelete
      3. Hello! I'm in Texas and am a big Earl Gray drinker every evening - an old habit I picked up in Scotland many years ago. ;) Can't wait to try your recipe! Can you tell me approximately how much is a "shot" of milk?

        ReplyDelete
      4. Hello Cathy! Texas, you say? You guys must be sizzling in the southern heat at this time of the year! ;) A "shot" I'd say is about 1 cl or 2/5 fl oz. (10-11 ml). Just a nice one count pour from the bottle or pack. Better too much than too little, I'd say. Thank you for making me reconsider my wording; I might want to change that to two "splashes". ;)

        Tell me how they turned out, please! :))

        Tobias

        ReplyDelete
      5. These look divine, and I LOVE Earl Grey tea, so can't wait to give these a try (I think I'll be OK with the 'shot' directions ;-) I'll just have to do my best! Looks like a simple but delicious recipe...my favorite kind!

        ReplyDelete
      6. Seem like we share the love for both - Earl Grey tea AND simple but delicious recipes, Luv'n Spoonfuls! It's always nice having a simple go to recipe down pat, isn't it? :)

        Tobias

        ReplyDelete
      7. Beautiful cupcakes! I keep saying one of these days I will try and make some cupcakes, just don't know what flavor. Earl grey sounds like a great idea, I love the tea.

        ReplyDelete
      8. Thanks, Jo! It definitely is! Earl Grey tea just has such a distinct flavour - compared to "simple" black tea - that keeps it from tasting too "tea-ish" in a cupcake. Plus, I kinda feel like a rebel eating Earl Grey cupcakes with a nice little cup of coffee ;)

        ReplyDelete
      9. Ciao Tobias..... Thank you for your visit. Saffron bread is really nice, isnt'it? It is a good treat for breakfast, served with jam or marmelade.I love cupcakes and earl grey as well. Good choice. I apologize about comments on the blog...they do not apperar where they would have to...... and worst thing, you cannot read my reply. We are working to arrange things..... Follow us on twitter and share with your friends.
        Have a nice day.

        Ciao.

        Aria from Italy

        ReplyDelete
      10. Tobias, about your question:
        Before using the flowers pots, you
        have to prepare them. Wash them
        properly, grease them inside and
        outside and bake them 3 or 4 times,
        in hot oven, 400 F (200°) for 30 -
        40 minutes. You can "bake" the pots
        while you bake other things.
        Let me know.....

        Aria

        ReplyDelete
      11. Aria, thank you for dropping by yourself! :) And for further advice on how to prepare the flower pots. the method is so intriguing and it would also make such a nice gift!

        Tobias from Germany ;)

        ReplyDelete
      12. Hi Tobias,
        Thank you for the nice comment on my blog. Best wishes for continued fun with your site, and it looks like you have some nice recipes here. I really like the photo of this cupcake alone on the plate, with the blue (or purple?) sugar on top. Gorgeous.

        Melanie (The Fearless Baker)
        www.fearlessbaker.net

        ReplyDelete
      13. Hi Melanie! Thank you for stopping by yourself and all the complimenting! :)

        Tobias

        ReplyDelete

      I am eager to know what you have to say! Feed me comments.