Photo: The Absurdist (Fruit and Cheese Platter Cupcakes) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Brown Sugar Fig Sauce, recipe follows
- Honey Goat Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin pans with 18 to 19 cupcake liners.
Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a medium bowl.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix the eggs, orange juice, butter, and vegetable oil on medium speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Turn the mixer to medium-low speed, and add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Mix until just combined.
Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
To assemble: Peel the cupcake away from its liner, and place upside down on the top of a new, fresh liner. The narrow end of the cupcake should be facing up at this point. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the Brown Sugar Fig Sauce on top of each cupcake, allowing the sauce and figs to drip down the sides. Fill a piping bag equipped with a star tip with the Honey Goat Cheese Frosting, and pipe stars on the top of each cupcake. Sprinkle the tops of the cupcakes with the Parmesan.
Cook's Note: For an extra fun touch, place a small piece of fruit on a decorative toothpick and place in the top of the cupcake.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
Brown Sugar Fig Sauce:
- 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 black figs, trimmed and roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
In a medium saucepan, bring the brown sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the figs, butter, and orange zest, and heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool.
Honey Goat Cheese Frosting:
- 10 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the goat cheese, cream cheese, and butter on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, and gradually add the powdered sugar until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Add the honey and beat until incorporated.
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By wreckingdoll
on December 21, 2012
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These were amazing. The goat cheese frosting really cuts back the sweetness of the brown sugar fig sauce and balances with the burst of citrus from the cupcake. The Frosting was so unique and delicious and the cake is moist and flavorful. The best dessert I've ever made.
By cupcakemaker
on February 07, 2012
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These cupcakes were quite good but didn't meet my expectations (after the rave reviews from the judges on the show. After a few days, I tried another and they were quite good - the figs and goat cheese made it unique and delicious. My roommate tried one and said it was the best cupcake I've made yet. Perfect for someone who doesn't like super sweet cupcakes!
By bakergal402
on July 06, 2011
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This cupcake is so very different and amazing! The flavor is great and everyone wanted the recipe! I made the glaze and the frosting and it was incredible!!!!! The brown sugar and fig is impecable! and who would have thought I would love goat cheese. All the ingrediants were easy to work with and I just love working outside of the box and trying new things. This one is def. going in the go to recipe box!
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