This sounds like a problem that no one has, ever... but have you ever found yourself with half a bottle of champagne that needs to be used? Perhaps it was from the night before, it was opened and tragically never finished, never realizing it's full destiny? Perhaps you worked as a bartender for your community's annual wine night and they let you take home the opened half-full bottle of sparkling wine that was on offer? This would be exactly the predicament I was in recently, and although this kind of issue is probably not a frequent one, if you ever find yourself in such a predicament, I do have a possible solution. CAKE! Yup, this is a bottle half-full situation my friends, bottle half-full. I could envision these pale cuties at your next gals-night-in party, or a dessert offering at a cocktail party, or just to adorn your mid-winter kitchen counter with some much needed cuteness. These came about because my aunt sent me an article that gives a different cupcake for every month of the year, and this one of course is for January! And wouldn't you know it I was blessed with a (FREE) open bottle of champagne. So, it was meant to be, Wouldn't it be fun if I followed along all year? I'm really awful at following through with these sorts of things however... so the chances are low and certainly no promises. BUT, for now, a toast to January! The month of cold cold weather and leftover alcohol. In the form of tiny cakes. Champagne-Vanilla CupcakesRecipe from Food Network Magazine Cupcakes:
1/2 cups leftover champagne or other sparkling wine 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp kosher salt 6 tbsp butter (3 ounces) at room temp 3/4 cup sugar 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped out (reserve the pod for the frosting) (OR splash of vanilla extract or paste cuz times are tough and beans be expensive) 1 egg, separated. Preheat your oven to 350˚F Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners. If your champagne is still bubbly, pour it into a bowl and whisk until the bubbles dissapate. Although I might suggest that if it is still bubbly, it would be much more enjoyable to drink, and you should make these cupcakes with the flat-and-forgotten leftover wine. combine 1/2 cup of the champagne with the vanilla extract in a small bowl and set aside. Reserve the remaining champagne for the frosting. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl, set aside. Cream the butter and sugar and vanilla seeds until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg yolk and beat until smooth. Reduce mixer speed to low and add in the dry ingredients in two batches, alternating with the champagne-vanilla mixture, beating until just combined, and no more. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white to stiff peaks, then fold into the batter. Divide the batter among the prepared tin, filling each paper about 2/3 full. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed., about 20-25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Champagne Custard Frosting 1 cup champagne 2 tsp gelatin powder 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 tsp kosher salt 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup heavy cream Put about 1 1/2 tbsp of the champagne in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top and leave to sit for 5 minutes to allow the gelatin to soften. Whisk the sugar, salt and yolks in a small saucepan until smooth. Whisk in the remaining champagne (and add the remaining vanilla bean pod if used from the cupcakes) Cook over medium heat, stirring until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3-4 minutes. Pour the hot custard through a fine mesh sieve into a large metal bowl. Discard the vanilla pod if it was used. Add the softened gelatin and stir until dissolved. Refrigerate the custard, stirring every 5 minutes until it is the consistency of soft whipped cream. Whip the cream in a separate bowl until firm peaks form. Fold half of the whipped cream into the custard to lighten, then fold in the remaining whipped cream until fully combined. Chill again if it is too loose, stirring frequently until it is pipeable. (I didn't have to chill it any further) The custard will begin to set at this stage, so get it into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe big dollops of frosting onto each cupcake, and decorate with pearl sprinkles if desired. Allow the frosting to set on the cupcakes in the fridge. Share and enjoy these classy cupcakes. CHEERS!
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