Rosemary Parmesan Cupcakes: Recipe & Review (Sweet, Savory, and Sometimes Boozy Cupcakes)

Today's my dad's birthday (happy birthday Dad!)--and also my sister's birthday (happy birthday Ashley!)--and also my cousin's birthday (happy birthday David!). What better excuse to break out the cupcake this new cupcake cookbook (sent by the publisher for review--and what better way to review a cookbook than to, I don't know, cook from it?)?

We're not a big dessert family, so I opted for one of the savory options from Sweet, Savory, and Sometimes Boozy Cupcakes: Rosemary Parmesan Cupcakes + Lemon Zest Frosting.

Author and cupcake chef Alison Reide (2011 winner of the Food Network show Cupcake Wars) has found a way to make cupcakes that are light and fluffy and chemically proper, without being abundantly, sickeningly sweet.  Added bonus: the recipes in Sweet, Savory, and Sometimes Boozy Cupcakes are both accurate and easy-to-follow.

rosemary parmesan cupcakes

(The only thing I've altered from the original recipe here is the amount of cheese used--and that only because I got tired of microplaning the hunk o' parm this morning.)

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1.5 tsp baking powder (I use aluminum-free on the recommendation of the smart folks at Back in the Day Bakery)
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg (room temperature, also on the recommendation of the Back in the Day Bakery cookbook), beaten
• 10 oz (or up to 12 oz if you don't get tired of grating...) fresh parmesan cheese, finely grated on a microplane
• 2 tbs finely chopped rosemary

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 16 cups with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer, if using a stand mixer), mix together flour, sugar and baking powder.

3. Beat in, on lowest speed, milk, butter, vanilla, and egg.

4. With mixer off, add cheese and rosemary, and slowly fold in with a spatula.

5. Fill cupcake liners three-quarters full and bake 20-25 minutes (mine took 23 minutes total), until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. I'd be careful about over-cooking as the cheese will brown the edges. 

6. Let cool completely (I left mine for about 2 hours, but that was because I went for a run...) before frosting.

lemon zest frosting

(I'm really not a huge icing fan, so I've modified this pretty considerably from the original recipe--including nearly halving the amount made. I also spread my icing on my final cupcakes, rather than piping it (personal preference/lack of frosting skills), but you could pipe this if you preferred, I'm sure.)

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of butter
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• 1.5 cups of confectioner's sugar
• zest of two lemons
• 1-2 tbs of olive oil
• sprigs of rosemary

1. Beat butter, cream cheese, and lemon zest with electric mixed (I used a stand mixer, but a handheld one would work as well).

2. With mixer on low, slowly add confectioner's sugar. Mix until incorporated.

3. Add olive oil slowly until the icing reaches the consistency you prefer for your frosting.

4. Beat on high 2-3 minutes until frosting is light and fluffy. Spread (or pipe, if you prefer) over fully cooled cupcakes.

5. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.

#nomnomnom

Up next, I think I'll be trying Margarita Cupcakes + Tequila Lime Buttercream. Or maybe Earl Grey Cupcakes + Earl Grey Lemon Zest Buttercream. Or a Fig Cupcake + Pear & Fig Filling + Honey Brie Buttercream. The possibilities are endless!

---

I was sent a copy of this title for review from the publisher. Opinions my own.

Sweet, Savory, and Sometimes Boozy Cupcakes | Alison Riede | The Countryman Press | Hardcover| June 2015 | Buy from an independent bookstore near you