So my niece Morgan Brynn came into the world at 6 pounds, 15 ounces yesterday, and I couldn't be a prouder auntie! Yesterday I also received an email from a pregnant friend who is currently enjoying 3 weeks abroad in Italy with her baby bump just beginning to show. I then found out a favorite little inchworm, 2-month-old Hope, is coming into town with her mama Susan on Sunday. And tomorrow I am hosting a good friend's baby shower at the house- 10 women crammed into my living room making small talk about babies (or lack thereof) and playing awkward games involving faux poopy diapers, giant diaper pins and charading through guessing games about who's getting knocked up next. Luckily I am only responsible for opening my doors and baking cupcakes. Cupcakes I can handle. And buying a gift. Shit, I forgot to buy a gift.
So... showers. Why the heck do I always seem to be buying gifts for people having awkwardly traditional events that I do not qualify for? Bridal Showers. Baby Showers. Bachlorette Parties. Graduations. You don't really have a Shower for a Graduation, but you get a party and you still need to buy people crap. Weddings. Bar Mitzvahs. The list goes on.
I love my friends and love giving gifts, but lately I feel like I am continually checking someone's registry and plunking down a credit card for cute items I wish I had in my own house, but I am too broke to buy for myself. I want a Shower. I want cute Anthropology bowls and plates. I want a new set of La Creuset baking dishes and a soft Cashmere blanket. Much like Carrie Bradford registering for a pair of Manolos in that old Sex & The City episode (Season 6, Episode 8.3. I had to look that up, but obviously that episode resonated with me), I want an excuse for people to shower me with gifts that doesn't require reciprocation. I want. I want. I want. Greedly little bugger, aren't I?
So how can I make these cupcakes into something like a bit of a gift to me? First off, I can throw out any concept of 'healthy' out the window. I will abandon any inkling of 'diet' and thoroughly indulge. Second, I will bake extras and bring them to the picnic and concert I'm heading to tomorrow night. A little indulgent baking to share with any available good-looking men is never a bad idea. And Third, I am going to make all tomorrow's Shower attendees remember how damn good the cupcakes were so that eventually (hopefully, God-willingly) they will shower me with all the cute and non-essential crap that keeps stacking up on my "Dear Toothfairy/ Santa/ Sugar Daddy/ Important Grantor of all Shower-Requiring Events Deity" list when such a time comes. One would hope.
Until then, Cupcakes. Inspired by my Limon Curd session last week and this ode to the little muchkins and munchkins-to-be, I've decided to pair something sweet and pink (Strawberries & Cream Cheese) with something tart and acerbic (Limon Curd) and wrap it together with something traditional and delicious (Vanilla, Sugar and Butter). That about sums up my feelings toward this whole baby business. As much as I gripe about buying gifts and bemoan being single, I love my girlfriends and their little monsters more than anything in the world.
adapted from Sprinklers Strawberry Cupcakes by Candace Nelson
- 1/2 cup thick Strawberry Jam
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large egg, room temperature
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla, and strawberry jam; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely before filling and frosting.
Once cool, take a sharp knife (a steak knife works well) and hollow out a chunk of cake (about the size of an extra large grape). Be sure to leave the bottom and sides of the cupcake untouched.
Hollowed out cupcakes get the parfait treatment. 
Smoothing out the Limon/ Lemon curd filling.
Fill each hole with a mini parfait layering a tiny drop of strawberry jam, a small spoonful with Limon (or Lemon) curd and topping with another drop of jam. See recipe for Limon/ Lemon Curd in the previous blog entry "Preserving fruit. And my bruised ego."
Strawberry Jam smear atop the Curd.
Frost with a tiny dollop of yummy strawberry cream cheese frosting with a hint of lemon (recipe below). They guys don't really even need the frosting, but it looks pretty! Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a scant sprinkle of fresh lemon zest.
Strawberry Cream Cheese with Lemon frosting
1 teaspoon Strawberry Jam
Tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice (maybe 1/2 teaspoon)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 oz (1/4 brick) cream cheese
1 cups Powdered Sugar
2 oz (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
Beat in electric mixer until light and dreamy.
Tonight's Listening Inspiration:
Mumford & Sons Sigh No More
Ingrid Michaelson Girls and Boys
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