Pear Champagne Cupcakes Recipes

CHAMPAGNE-VANILLA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. Pour the champagne into a bowl and whisk until the bubbles dissipate. Combine 1/2 cup of the champagne and the vanilla extract in a small bowl. Set aside the remaining champagne for the frosting.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla seeds in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg yolk and beat until smooth. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the champagne-vanilla mixture in two batches, until just combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the batter with a rubber spatula.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds of the way. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Put 1 1/2 tablespoons of the reserved champagne in a small bowl; sprinkle the gelatin on top and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk the sugar, salt and egg yolks in a small saucepan until smooth. Whisk in the remaining champagne (about 1 cup) and add the vanilla pod. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the hot custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large metal bowl; discard the vanilla pod. Add the gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved. Refrigerate the custard, stirring every 5 minutes, until it is the consistency of soft whipped cream, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Beat the heavy cream in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Add the whipped cream to the custard and gently whisk until combined. Refrigerate the frosting, gently folding with a rubber spatula every 5 minutes, until thick enough to pipe, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Working quickly, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and pipe onto the cupcakes. Decorate with sugar pearls. Refrigerate immediately to set the frosting, at least 30 minutes.

PEACH MIMOSA CUPCAKES WITH CHAMPAGNE MERINGUE

Steps:

• For the peach mimosa cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F on the convection setting. Line a cupcake pan with 24 cupcake liners.
• In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium for 3 minutes. Gradually add in the sugar and mix for 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl and add all of the egg whites and mix for 2 minutes. Combine the cake flour and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk. In another bowl, add the peach syrup to the buttermilk. Add in one-third of the dry mixture, and then add one-third of the buttermilk mixture. Continue this process until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in the peaches. Fill the prepared cupcake pan three-quarters full with the cupcake batter. Then bake until the top springs back to the touch, about 20 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
• For the meringue: Bring a small amount of water in a medium double boiler pot to a simmer. In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and egg whites with a whisk until combined. Place the bowl on top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the temperature reads 140 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat and transfer to a mixer. Mix on high speed with a whisk attachment for 5 minutes. Add the cream of tartar. Mix for 2 more minutes and slowly add in the Champagne until completely combined. Mix the meringue until it is shiny and stiff peaks form.
• To assemble: Top the cooled cupcakes with the meringue and torch until slightly browned.

PEAR CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a small bowl mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In mixer (or just large bowl), cream butter and sugar until well mixed and airy.
• Add eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is full incorporated before adding next.
• Slowly add in flour mixture making sure it is fully incorporated.
• Stir in vanilla and champagne.
• Stir in pears.
• Scoop an even amount of dough into each cup.
• Bake for about 16 minutes. I started checking around 12 just to be safe.
• You want them to be golden in color.
• Remove cupcakes from oven and cool in tins for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack.
• When cupcakes are completely cooled, top with frosting.

CHAMPAGNE-POACHED PEARS

Steps:

• 1. Combine all the ingredients except the pears in a pot and bring to a simmer.
• 2. Carefully lower the pears into the liquid (adding up to 1 cup water to make sure the fruit is fully submerged).
• 3. Simmer until the pears are tender, 15 to 17 minutes for small pears, 25 to 30 minutes for large ones.
• 4. Cool the pears in the cooking liquid for 30 minutes before serving, or store them in the refrigerator (still in the liquid) for up to a week.

PINK CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• 2. In large bowl, combine dry cake mix and champagne. Add oil, eggs and food color. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• 3. Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• 4. In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Frost cupcakes. Sprinkle with pink sugar and pearls.