POLKADOT CUPCAKE SHOP RECIPES

Steps:

• In a very large mixing bowl allow egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, sift cake flour and 1/2 cup sugar together 3 times; set aside. Grease 12 popover pans, if using. Line popover pans or 12 jumbo (3-1/4-inch) muffin cups with large paper bake cups. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add cream of tartar, vanilla, almond extract, and salt to egg whites. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
• Sift one-fourth of the cake flour mixture over beaten egg whites; fold in gently. Repeat, folding in the remaining flour mixture by fourths.
• Spoon half of the batter into the popover pans or muffin cups, filling about half full. Sprinkle a few berry pieces onto each, then top with another large dollop of batter and remaining berries. Mound remaining batter over fruit pieces (the cups will be very full).
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and spring back when lightly touched with a finger. Cool the cupcakes on a wire rack in the pan. To remove, run a knife around edges. If desired, wrap with new paper bake cups and tie with ribbon.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with racks in top and bottom thirds. Line twenty-four muffin cups (1-cup capacity) with paper or foil liners, and set aside. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, and set aside.
• Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl; beat until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add orange zest. Beat in flour mixture and milk in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture. After each addition, beat until just combined, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as necessary.
• Fill prepared muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter. Bake, rotating pans once, until cupcakes are just golden brown and spring back to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in tins, about 5 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks. Repeat with any remaining batter. Let cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar in a small bowl until just smooth. Add milk and vanilla; beat frosting until combined. Use immediately.