Sweet Basil & Olive Oil Cupcakes
Posted: August 29, 2011 Filed under: Cupcakes | Tags: a Christabel Martin recipe, basil, cupcake, herbs, lemon, olive oil, orange Leave a comment »
Ingredients for Cupcakes:
3 eggs
1 c. superfine sugar
3 tsp. finely grated orange zest (about 1 med. orange)
3 tsp. finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
3/4 c. olive oil
2 1/2 c. self-rising flour
1/3 c. whole milk
1/3 c. orange juice (about 1 med. orange)
Ingredients for Frosting:
3 c. confectioners’ sugar
1/3 c. unsalted butter, softened
1/4 c. whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. finely chopped basil
Make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 14 standard muffin cups. (This recipe also works well as mini cupcakes; reduce baking time by about 5 minutes.)
Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until well combined. Add the zests, then stir in the olive oil. Sift in the flour alternately with the milk and orange juice. Stir gently for about 30 seconds; do not overmix.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffins cups. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean when inserted in the center of a cake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Make the frosting: Place butter, milk, vanilla, basil, and half the confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar until frosting is at desired, thick consistency. Frost each cooled cake, then decorate with another small basil leaf or two, if desired.
