Sugar Plum Fairy Muffins Recipes

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second pan with 2-3 liners - this recipe makes 14-15 cupcakes. Set aside.
• Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamed, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Beat in the egg whites on high speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in the sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour and mix in the milk *just* until combined. Do not overmix.
• Pour/spoon the batter into the liners. Fill only 2/3 full to avoid baking over the sides. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For around 35 mini cupcakes, bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before filling and frosting.
• Watch video above for a visual of this step. Using a sharp knife, cut a circle/hole into the center of the cooled cupcakes to create a little pocket about 1 inch deep. The piece you removed will be the shape of a cone. Spoon jam inside each carved out cupcake. Use as much jam that will fit. Slice off the pointy end of the "cone" piece you removed so that it can fit on top of the filling. Place on top of the filling.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add 4 and 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add up to 1/2 cup more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or another Tablespoon of cream if frosting is too thick. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. (I add 1/8 teaspoon salt.) If desired, tint the buttercream with gel food coloring. I colored half of it with mauve gel food coloring from this gel food coloring set and swirled it with the white buttercream. Watch video in the blog post for a quick tutorial.
• Frost cooled cupcakes. I used Wilton 8B piping tip, as shown in the video. Decorate with garnishes and candies.
• Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY MUFFINS

Steps:

• 1. To prepare the glaze topping, combine the water and cornstarch in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve any lumps. Add the plum preserves and stir the mixture over medium-high heat about 3 minutes, or until it thickens. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. 2. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 3. Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. 4. Whisk the wet ingredients in a medium bowl or blend in a food processor. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until mixed. Do not overstir. 5. Spoon the batter into a greased or papered muffin tin. Fill each cup nearly to the top. 6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. 7. Cool the muffins 10 minutes. 8. Spoon a teaspoon of the glaze evenly over the top of each muffin. Sprinkle with a large pinch of pearl sugar. The topping will harden a little as it continues to cool. Cool the muffins another 10 minutes before removing from the tin.