Blue Moon Cupcakes

If you read my first entry I talked about my father-in-law. Well this may be weird but these next two entries on cupcakes have to do with him again. haha.

Last weekend we went to the in-laws for dinner to celebrate his 50th birthday. We had no idea what to get him so I just decided to make him cupcakes. Seriously, who doesn't love cupcakes!? And his favorite beer is Blue Moon. So I stumbled across a recipe for Blue Moon Cupcakes on Pinterest. Yes, I'm one of those girls who has an obsession with Pinterest. That's where my inspiration comes from when it comes to baking cupcakes.

So let's begin!

Now before I list the recipe. I want you to know this picture is not mine. It's from the missmake blog. The only thing I did differently with these cupcakes was the presentation. Instead of the little slice of orange, I used Orange Zest.

Blue Moon Cupcakes

3/4 c unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 c sugar

2 1/2 c flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

2 drops red food coloring

10 drops yellow food coloring

1/2 tsp orange zest

1 c Blue Moon beer

1/4 c milk

Directions:
1. Line 24 cupcake trays with liners. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking power and salt.
2. In a large bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar a little bit at a time, beating well. Once it's all added beat for 2 more minutes.
3. Add eggs, beating after each.
4. Add vanilla, food coloring and orange zest and beat.
5. Mix beer and milk in a measuring cup. Alternatively add beer / milk mixture and flour mixture to butter mixture in the large bowl, beating after each. End on the flour mixture.
6. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 18 minutes at 375 degrees F until cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Once cool, frost each cupcake with a generous amount of frosting. Just before serving, garnish each with a small orange slice or some orange zest. (I really reccommend frosting them right before serving. Otherwise the frosting won't really mimmick the foam at the top of your beer and it will start to crystalize again...I don't know the correct term for that so I use crystalize haha)

Frothy White Frosting

2 egg whites, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp orange juice

1 c sugar

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

                                                                1/3 c water

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, mix sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and orange juice until soft peaks form. Slowly add hot sugar mixture, beating continuously. Beat for 7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Adapted From: Miss Make