A Cupcake Challenge and Audition

I must admit—posting cupcakes twice in a row is a unusual even for this cupcake lover. But I have two good reasons. First Hoosier Homemade has thrown down the gauntlet with a fun cupcake challenge on Tuesdays during the month of August. The theme is summertime fun and each week will have a specific challenge. Secondly, since I am hosting a baby shower in the near future, I am “auditioning” recipes.

Let the games begin!

Our first challenge is to create a cupcake with a flavor that screams summer to us. Now, for me, smells evoke memories more than sights or sounds. The minute I smell fresh- cut grass I am once again a barefoot little girl shadowing my father as he does yard work. My feet are covered in damp St. Augustine grass and I am hot as I struggle with a rake in the humid Mississippi heat. But I know that a reward in the form of a treat and air conditioning is right around the corner.

Mom always had pink lemonade waiting in the kitchen for us. Yes, it was just made from frozen concentrate. But it was ice cold and full of pulp. More than that, it was sharing a victory and a job well done. Fresh cut grass and pink lemonade don’t scream summer to me….they whisper in my ear of happy times gone by.

So yesterday I tried my hand at a pink lemonade cupcakes. It would be just perfect for a little princess, princess in waiting, or bride to be. It could be made in pale yellow with regular lemonade for a gender neutral baby shower. Oh yeah, and it makes a fabulous lunch :)

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

1 (9 oz.) pink lemonade frozen concentrate, thawed and divided

3/8 cup water

1 white cake mix ( your favorite brand)

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with paper liners. Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until just blended. Fill muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter each to insure cupcakes of a uniform size. Bake according to package directions or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool five minutes in pan and remove to finish cooling on wire rack. Frost with Lemonade Buttercream. Garnish with sprinkles if desired.

Lemonade Buttercream Icing

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate

red or pink food coloring (a little dab will do!)

Blend butter with 1 cup confectioners’ sugar on low to medium speed with electric mixer. Gradually add remaining two cups of sugar and concentrate. Blend well. Mix on medium to high speed until the mixture is fluffy and uniformly pink. Pipe or frost onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with pink sugar crystals if desired.

Pink (or any color) Sugar Sprinkles

Shake 1 cup of sugar with 2 drops of food coloring in a plastic zip bag. Shake well!! Pour onto paper plate and allow to dry 15 minutes before using. Sprinkle with a spoon or shaker onto frosted cupcake. Store leftovers in sealed plastic bag for later use.

Don’t forget to join Hoosier Homemade on Tuesday for the Cupcake Challenge. I can’t wait to see the recipes! You can join the party I am also joining Blessed With Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. You'll find the party here! I am also linking to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to share this sweet pinkness! You can join the party here.I am so glad you stopped by!!! Thanks for coming and don’t forget to say hello!