364 days ago I decided I would spend my pandemic weekends working through America’s Test Kitchen’s “The Perfect Cake” cookbook. It sounded like a fun project that would also sate my sweet tooth. Using only recipes from this cookbook, the plan was to bake one cake a week. Somehow, I was able to keep pace and as of this particular bake, I’ve made 53 recipes (out of 240) from the cookbook.
These cupcakes were not what I originally intended to bake this week. Jason was planning to visit this weekend and I’ve been wanting to make him the bananas foster cake so I purchased all the ingredients for it on Monday to give the bananas enough time to ripen. But on Wednesday afternoon, I came down with a low grade fever and body aches. Those persisted through Thursday and out an abundance of caution, Jason and I cancelled our plans. By Friday I was feeling much better but took a covid test just to see if that’s what I came down with. The test came back positive. So being unable to share anything I bake, I found this recipe that made only a dozen cupcakes. And thanks to a bit of over-preparation on my part for a winter storm that rolled through Tuesday, I had all the ingredients on hand.
The cupcakes themselves were straightforward. The recipe might make a little more batter than necessary as they kinda mushroomed while baking. But the results were moist, golden cupcakes.
The caramel sauce used in the core of the cupcakes as well as in the frosting was also pretty easy to make. I didn’t have any issues in the preparation, filling of the cupcakes or in making the frosting. But after the cupcakes are frosted it’s implied that the remaining caramel sauce should be liquid enough to drizzle on top. That was not the case and I struggled to reheat it to a point that would allow for such drizzlage. Instead, I got it just warm enough so that I could fling it over the cupcakes with a whisk while simultaneously coating most of my kitchen. It was messy, but it worked.
The cupcakes taste really good and the caramel core is soft and chewy. I’m happy with the result and will do my best to make sure they don’t go to waste.