Explore these yummy treats and the sweeter side of this fruit.
If you want to taste a different kind of cupcake, you’ve got to try Tomato Spice Mini Cupcakes with Tomato Cream Cheese Frosting. Sounds strange doesn’t it? But they are so yummy. After all tomatoes are fruit. This recipe has enough tomato flavor to really make an impact, but it’s so well balanced, your pallet won’t be overwhelmed. Most of the ingredients are common place, but the frosting does include tomato powder to give is such a lovely flavor.
The story behind this recipe is actually pretty great. A client of mine hired me to come up with 3 unusual tomato recipes as a birthday present for her friend who was facing a big birthday and a painful divorce. She wanted to show her friend that there was still more to discover in life with surprises and new perspectives that might pop out at anytime. My kitchen was just one stop on a day filled with adventure. Isn’t that so cool?
It turned out to be a great lesson for me, because it pushed my culinary creativity too. Now it’s your turn to see tomatoes in a whole new light: as cupcakes!
- ½ c butter
- 1½ c sugar
- ¼ c tomato paste
- 2 eggs
- 1 c buttermilk (or 1 T lemon juice, plus enough milk to equal 1 c)
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 1½ t baking soda
- 1 T white vinegar
- 2¼ c flour
- 1 t salt
- ½ t cinnamon
- 1 T cocoa powder
- 1 pumpkin pie spice
- 1 t lime zest
- ¼ c butter
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 T tomato powder
- 1 t vanilla extract
- ½ t lime zest
- about 5 c powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350. Line mini muffin tin with papers.
- Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add tomato paste. Beat until combined. Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar and baking soda.
- Sift flour, salt and spices together. Add to wet mixture until just combined.
- Fill cups until almost full. Bake for 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. (If you use regular cupcake tins, it will take 30 minutes.)
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
- Add the tomato powder, zest and vanilla
- Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until you reach your desired sweetness and texture. Thin with a bit of milk if needed.
- Frost mini cupcakes and garnish with sanding sugar and mint if you'd like. Enjoy
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