Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes, #SundaySupper

NinjaBaker — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 18:56:49 +0000

With the flowering of Japanese cherry blossoms (sakura) in Japan, poetry, songs, picnics and sweets flood the marketplace. The Sakura, Sakura (cherry blossom) lullaby is the infant’s introduction to music.

As Megadeth rock band ’s former guitarist Marty Friedman will confirm, mothers and grannies are not the only ones singing about cherry blossoms. On a recent Japanese TV show (?????????????? Hard to Say Things, Clearly Stated), Marty Friedman served on a panel with other pop rock experts. All laughed about Japan’s fascination with cherry blossoms. Practically every other popular song on J Pop charts contains the word sakura! Here’s a snappy 10 Year Sakura (10?? ) sung by popular J-Pop girl group AKB48.

As reflected in Japan’s ancient gardens and modern parks, there is a reverence for nature. Cherry blossom trees hold an extra-special place in the heart of Japanese. The pale petals of the sakura are beautiful to behold. Like life, the blossoms seem to be gone in the blink of an eye. The sakura are exquisite reminders of the ephemeral nature of existence.

Sakura cherry blossoms in Japan.

Photo courtesy of 123rf.com.

But, the cherry blossoms are not simply for serious contemplation. Sakura-viewing picnics are often boisterous. Song and sake rice wine flow freely as an orange sunset highlights the petite, pretty pink cherry blossoms…The preferred alcohol served at Independence Day picnics may be beer and singing may not be as prevalent in the U.S. Yet the good feelings of enjoying life with those you love is the same on both sides of the Pacific.

At today’s #SundaySupper at Twitter, people from around the world are gathering around a virtual picnic blanket. (Please scroll down for details about your invite to #SundaySupper fun.) The creator of always fantastic looking food, Jane of Jane's Adventures in Dinner hosts.

Treat your family like royals with Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes

What’s on the #SundaySupper picnic menu? Mainly dishes and desserts for Independence Day (in the U.S.) and Canada Day (celebrating the unification of the Canadian colonies.) I am going somewhat rogue however and bringing Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes. Pink cupcakes may not be a very patriotic contribution…But the cherry blossom chip cupcakes do boast a soft crumb dotted with melted cherry chips.

The Cherry Blossoms Chip Cupcake boasts a tantalizing soft crumb.

And my frosting with its whipped cream cheese base will leave you extra calories to enjoy a bigger serving of potato salad!

Cherry Blossom Cupcakes

With a cake crumb as soft as the petal of a cherry blossom, this cupcake is a cause for celebration. The not-so-sweet frosting base is whipped cream cheese complements the sweet cake perfectly.

Adapted from the 1-2-3-4 cake recipe at Epicurious.com.

Cherry baking chips are available at Amazon. Feel free, however, to substitute your favorite butterscotch, chocolate or peanut butter chips to make the cupcakes blossom in flavor for you.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:?

3 cups sifted cake flour (do not substitute with self-rising flour)?
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large room temperature eggs, separated
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup cherry Greek yogurt
½ cup culinary coconut milk + 1 tablespoon

Tip: Reduce the milk if using regular coconut milk or almond milk.
Culinary coconut milk is slightly thicker than regular coconut milk.

1 ½ teaspoons cherry extract
1 ½ cups cherry baking chips

For the frosting:

1 (8-ounce) tub of whipped cream cheese
1 (5.3-ounce) carton of cherry Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons powdered cherry gelatin
6 tablespoons powdered sugar (more if you like very sweet frosting)

For the cherry blossom cut-outs:

Pink fondant
Cherry blossom vegetable cutters are available at Etsy. (Amazon also sells them for a few more dollars.)

Directions:

For the cupcakes:
Sift the already sifted cake flour with the baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. (About one minute.) Add the sugar a tablespoon at a time. Look for a lovely pale yellow color to emerge. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites. When foam arises, add the cream of tartar. Allow the whites to form soft peaks.

Meanwhile, alternate adding the flour mixture with the yogurt/coconut milk to the butter/sugar/egg yolks combination until well combined.

Gently fold in the soft peaked egg whites.

Stir in the baking chips.

Divide the batter into cupcake cases. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes. This recipe yields 31 cupcakes.

For the frosting:
Fluff up the whipped cream cheese with an electric mixer. Add the remaining ingredients until well combined. Place the frosting in a piping bag and swirl onto cooled cupcakes.

For the fondant:
Roll the fondant on a corn starch or powdered sugar covered cutting board. Punch out cherry blossom cut-outs as garnish for the frosted cupcakes.

More picnic pleasures:

Beverages

Beverages

Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Appetizers

Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Savory Red, White, and Bleu Truffles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Mains

Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Sides

Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Salads

Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Loaded Potato Salad by Granny's Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Sandwiches and Wraps

Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Panino con la Salamella by Manu's Menu
Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin' Mimi

Sweets

Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida's Kitchen
Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
S'mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue's Nutrition Buzz

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Cherry Blossom Chip Cupcakes taste best when shared.

Wishing you moments to pause and savor this precious life.

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

Follow Ninja Baker @NinjaBaking's board NinjaBaking.com Sweets on Pinterest.

Tags:

Japanese cherry blossoms

The Ninja Baker - sakura

Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes, #SundaySupper