Market Menu – Mango Cupcakes, Earl Grey and Guinness too!

Last week was the start of the season at the Bethlehem Farmers’ Market and people were out in full force. It was a beautiful day, a local kindergarten class stopped by to listen to a performance by folk singer Dave Fry, plus my cupcakes were a big hit. Here is what I made for last weeks menu. To see what is coming up this week sign up for the 80Cakes Newsletter!

Mango Ginger Cupcakes with Saffron Buttercream:

Mangoes are used to being adored by millions of people.  How else can one explain the fact that India grows almost half of the world’s mangoes, but consumes most of them before they can cross national borders.  The sweet and succulent mango is the star of this cupcake where it blends well with ginger accents.  This pairing is capped off with a delicate buttercream that is flavored with saffron, a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus. This rare spice is a staple in India and is used in many Indian desserts, as well as some savory dishes.

Earl Grey Cupcakes with Tea infused Buttercream:

Earl Grey tea is named after Charles Earl Grey who was the British Prime Minister in the 1830s. The true origins of its invention are unclear, but one legend goes that the Earl’s men saved a young Chinese boy from drowning and that the grateful father presented the famous tea blend as an expression of his gratitude. Earl Grey tea is traditionally a black tea that is flavored with bergamot oil.  Bergamot, a citrus fruit typical of Southeast Asia, is also grown commercially in Italy. To replicate one of the world’s most famous teas, this cupcake is infused with a British black tea blend and flavored with natural oil of bergamot. It is topped off with a buttercream that has also been infused with black tea.

Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream:

Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) at St. James’s Gate, Dublin.  To this day it is the best-selling drink in Ireland.  Some researchers suggest that it contains antioxidant compounds that are beneficial to the heart.  It is very dark and rich in color and it often has a coffee-like taste. Its rich characteristics pair beautifully with the chocolate in this delicious cupcake. The taste of the Guinness is very subtle since all of the alcohol bakes off during the cooking process leaving behind an exceptionally moist cake.