Chocolate Raspberry
Balsamic Cupcakes (or try with any
traditonal, raspberry or chocolate raspberry
balsamic from Lowcountry Olive Oil.)
Makes 12 cupcakes.
Ingredients:
1 cup soy (or regular) milk
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons almond meal (flour will work but
not as well)
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For Frosting:
4oz (1/2 cup) fresh raspberries plus 12
raspberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, room
temperature
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3-4 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin pan with paper liners.
Whisk together the (soy) milk and vinegar, set aside for 5 minutes (mixture will curdle). Whisk in sugar, oil, and vanilla. In a
separate bowl, sift together the flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the
center of dry ingredients and pour in (soy) milk mixture. Stir until just smooth (do not over mix).
Pour into liners, filling each with 3 tablespoons of batter (cups should be no more than 2/3 full). Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a
toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
Separate out 12 raspberries for garnish and set aside. Gently toss remaining raspberries with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1
tablespoon balsamic vinegar. Set aside and allow to macerate (soak) for 15-20 minutes. Roughly mash berries with a fork until
no large chunks remain.
Cream butter until smooth and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add 1 cup powdered sugar and cocoa powder and beat until combined. Mix in
raspberry mixture. Continue adding sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition (depending on the temperature of
your butter, you may need more or less sugar to achieve the proper consistency). Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 35 minutes. Spread or pipe onto cooled cupcakes.