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Raspberry Rosewater Cupcakes

Lightly adapted from Maria del Mar Sacasa's recipe at SeriousEats.com
Course Dessert
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 24 -26 cupcakes
Author Danielle Cushing

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt divided
  • 2 3/4 cups sugar divided
  • 12 ounces unsalted butter 3 sticks, at room temperature, divided
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons rosewater
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 8 ounces fresh raspberries
  • 16 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 16 ounces confectioners’ sugar
  • 36 pesticide-free red and/or pink rose petals
  • 2 egg whites lightly beaten

Instructions

  1. For the Cupcakes: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Coat muffin tins with baking spray and line with cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl; set aside. With mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat 1 3/4 cups sugar and 8 oz. (2 sticks) butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 4 whole eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add rosewater and beat just to combine.
  3. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk. Mix just until combined, scraping sides and bottom of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Fold in raspberries with rubber spatula.
  4. Divide batter equally between prepared cupcake tins, until about 3/4 full. Bake until cake tester inserted in center of cupcakes comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to cooling racks and cool 10 minutes in pans. Turn cupcakes directly onto racks (they will be upside down) and cool completely, about 1 hour.
  5. For the Icing: Using whisk attachment, whip cream cheese, 4 oz. (1 stick) butter, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce speed to low, add confectioners’ sugar, and whip until incorporated, scraping bottom and sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed, 30 to 60 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and continue to whip until frosting is light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. For the Rose Petals and Assembly: Dip petals, one at a time, in 2 lightly-beaten egg whites, gently rubbing whites all over petals with fingertips. Toss petals in the 1 cup of sugar, shaking off excess. Arrange on cooling rack and allow to set at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
  8. Ice cooled cupcakes and decorate with rose petals. Serve.