Best Vanilla Cupcakes With Rhubarb Compote Recipes

SIMPLY PERFECT VANILLA CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second pan with 2 liners-this recipe makes about 14 cupcakes. Set aside.
• Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 2 minutes until creamed together. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and combined, at least 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed and then beat in the sour cream. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the milk until combined. Do not over-mix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no lumps at the bottom of the bowl. The batter will be slightly thick.
• Pour/spoon the batter into the liners-fill only 2/3 full to avoid spilling over the sides. Bake for 19-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For around 30-36 mini cupcakes, bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
• Frost cooled cupcakes with vanilla buttercream. You can swipe the frosting on with an icing knife or use a piping tip such as Wilton 1M. Leftover cupcakes keep well covered tightly in the refrigerator for 3 days.

CARDAMOM RHUBARB CUPCAKE

Steps:

• For the cake batter: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• Sift together the flour, granulated sugar, cardamom, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk, oil, vanilla extract and eggs and mix until smooth and completely combined.
• Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake until golden brown and risen, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.
• For the rhubarb compote: In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the water is absorbed and the rhubarb softens. Set aside to cool.
• For the cardamom frosting: In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup at a time and mix until completely smooth. Mix in the cardamom and vanilla extract.
• To assemble: Remove the centers of each cupcake using a paring knife. Fill each with some of the rhubarb compote and frost with the cardamom frosting. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

STRAWBERRY COMPOTE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Combine strawberries and sugar in a bowl; stir well. Place in a refrigerator until a light syrup forms, about 40 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 24 cupcake cups or line with paper liners.
• Combine cake mix, oil, eggs, and food coloring in a large bowl. Add strawberry compote and mix well. Pour in water slowly and mix until batter is blended.
• Divide batter evenly between the prepared cupcake cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely, 15 to 30 minutes.
• Beat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract together in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold in cream cheese until smooth. Frost completely cooled cupcakes.

RHUBARB COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine rhubarb with sugar over low heat. When the rhubarb starts to soften, but before it falls apart, about 5 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl.
• Cook down the remaining liquid in the pan until it thickens and turns syrupy, about 5 minutes longer. (This condenses and intensifies the rhubarb flavor.) Add the syrup to the bowl with the rhubarb and let cool. Compote will keep for at least a week in the fridge.

RHUBARB COMPOTE WITH VANILLA CRèME FRAîCHE & PANCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Put the rhubarb pieces into a bowl and add the sugar, honey, a squeeze of lemon juice and 3 tbsp water. Mix well, then lay the pieces flat in a roasting tray. Split the vanilla pods in half, then scrape out the seeds and reserve for the vanilla crème fraîche. Add the vanilla pods to the rhubarb, then bake in the oven for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, stir the vanilla seeds and icing sugar into the crème fraîche. When the rhubarb is cooked, drain the juices into a pan, then boil to thicken slightly. Mix the rhubarb with the stem ginger and juices, then spoon over pancakes. Top with a spoonful of vanilla crème fraîche and a sprinkling of lemon zest.
• Serve with our easiest ever pancakes. For recipe see 'Goes well with' above.