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Now, I’m not going to say that I’m lazy, or that I look for short-cuts, but when I can find a way to re-purpose a recipe quickly and easily with just one or two minor substitutions or modifications, I’m a happy baker. I don’t see a need for dozens of elaborate and complicated recipes when it comes to cupcakes. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not a trained pastry chef, and I don’t work in a fancy French restaurant making dazzling croquembouche or delicate soufflés. So if you were to look in my recipe binder you would see I have basically one recipe for frosting (which I still won’t reveal!) that I can modify easily with a pinch of this and a dash of that.

For instance, starting with my addictive Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese frosting, I can whip up fresh citrus frosting simply by subbing out the vanilla bean paste with grated lemon or orange zest and a little citrus oil (one-half to one teaspoon, depending on how deep and bright you want the flavor to be). The orange cream cheese frosting is divine on carrot cupcakes.

You can also use peppermint or coconut extract, both of which would be delicious on a chocolate cupcake. Or add a teaspoon of cinnamon and use it on pumpkin, banana, or apple cupcakes (even carrot, although I still prefer the orange frosting).

My absolute favorite is my chocolate cream cheese frosting. I use Cacao Barry Cocoa Powder Extra Brute because it is super dark and finely ground. I use about 1/3 cup (subtract the same amount of powdered sugar) to get a deep, dark brown color. Spread that delicious frosting on everything! Vanilla, chocolate, marble, chocolate chip, peanut butter cup – the cupcake possibilities are endless. I also like to smear it on a chocolate chip cookie and sandwich it with another cookie. Pure decadence (and the reason I will never be a size 4!).

Look at the yummy chocolate frosting!

The best part of my job is the experimenting, so go crazy. Find a really great basic vanilla frosting recipe and then let your mind go nuts. Oh, that reminds me – nuts! Toast up some chopped pecans or slivered almonds and sprinkle them on the frosting for a yummy crunch and added layer of flavor. Enjoy!