Cupcakes Uncorked

by Kristine Hansen, Posted Sep 1st 2010 @ 1:00PM

pink champagne cupcake Photo: Rakka, Flickr

Cupcakes are being reinvented yet again, this time with wine folded into the batter.

Enjoy Cupcakes, in Solvang and Los Olivos, Calif., deep in Santa Barbara's wine country, has developed about fifty signature recipes that include wine. Olallie Berry Rosé, Meyer Lemon Chardonnay, Caramel Pinot and Chocolate Blackberry Syrah are among the flavors. No wonder this sweet spot is located inside the tasting room for Saarloos and Sons.

The folks at Sift, which has locations throughout Napa and Sonoma, offer a Pink Champagne cupcake, with Champagne-based frosting spread on top of raspberry cake. Crisp Pinot Grigio gets paired with lemon at Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank and Santa Monica: the end result is a cupcake packed with lemon zest and a bit of Pinot Grigio poured into the batter before baking. On top is a lemon buttercream frosting that also contains Pinot Grigio.

In Dublin, Ohio, near Columbus, Sugar Inc. gets creative with a Chardonnay cupcake and a Chocolate Merlot cupcake on the menu. And Washington State's Wine Country Cupcakes is appropriately named as they have four flavors that contain wine: These are Vanilla Champagne, Chocolate Merlot, Lemon Pinot Grigio and Dark Chocolate Cabernet.

Even if you can't get to these cafes, consider spiking up your best cupcake batter by pouring in a few tablespoons of any wine you have open in the house. Any varietal ought to work; play around until you nail a flavor marriage with other ingredients like chocolate, cream cheese, lemon, berries or cinnamon.

Find great cupcake recipe ideas on KitchenDaily.

Filed Under: Trends
Tags: cupcakes, enjoy cupcakes, EnjoyCupcakes, wine, wine cupcakes

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-01-2010 @8:25PM Marshall said... Actually, it comes to NO surprise at all. I have had a version of pink strawberry cake with some
dosage of red wine in it ,many years ago.
Reply