Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes

Today Meg had another fantastic sewing class!  And I of course felt a need to bake for it.  Well for this, a birthday party, and so Alex could bring some treats to his coworkers... This time I made lemon cupcakes with a raspberry jam surprise inside, a raspberry frosting, and fondant buttons!  The buttons seemed perfect since it's a sewing party!  I used my homemade fondant recipe and cut them out with the ends of the icing decorating kit I have.  A little time consuming, but they look great.

Also... I finally made a pretty dessert!!!  I am so proud of these!  

Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes (adapted from here)

1 3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2 tablespoons grated lemon peel

3 extra-large eggs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

3 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2-3 dozen cupcake tins with paper wrappers.  This made 32 cupcakes for me.  Beat sugar, butter and lemon peel in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon juice.

Sift flour, baking soda and salt into medium bowl. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.

Divide batter among prepared pans along with a dollop of raspberry jam. Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 18 minutes.

Raspberry Jam Buttercream Frosting

1 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of salt
6 cups confectioners’ sugar

3/4 cup raspberry jam

Whip butter, salt, and vanilla till creamy then whip in powdered sugar in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Beat on a medium speed until light and fluffy. Add jam and continue until incorporated.

And to thank Meg for doing all these classes, we gave her a Dalek alarm clock for her Doctor Who themed bedroom.  I sort of want one of these... haha.