Iron Cupcake: Nuts and Seeds

Okay folks, I'm really sorry it's been so long since I posted. For some reason this month really just got away from me. Maybe it's the warm weather that makes me just not feel like being in front of a computer. But Iron Cupcake is approaching, and so the challenge has lured me back into the blogging world. This month's challenge was nuts and/or seeds, so I created these:


Raspberry almond cupcakes with white chocolate almond frosting. I really liked the cake for these cupcakes. It was nice and moist with a mild nutty flavor, and the whole raspberries baked in made for a nice contrast. I almost didn't want to frost them at all, but since they weren't very domed on the top (as is the problem with a lot of the denser cakes that I try to make into cupcakes), they needed the frosting to look pretty.
Voting for this month's Iron Cupcake challenge will start no later than 8 p.m. on March 29th, so swing on by No One Puts Cupcake in a Corner around then to vote for your favorite three cupcakes. You can get there by clicking on this link or on my Iron Cupcake badge at the bottom of this page. Voting will go through April 3rd at noon.
The prizes for winning are:
A Bunnycake Easter Plushie by DOGBONEART, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21636297.
A whimsical piece by CAKEASAURUS, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5729584.
A pair of cupcake earrings from LOTS OF SPRINKLES at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6057281.
A collection of all new printed cupcake liners, 200 in all from Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Cupcakery, http://www.acupcakery.com
and art from CAKESPY, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243382
Last and certainly not least, corporate prize providers: HEAD CHEFS by FIESTA PRODUCTS http://www.fiestaproducts.com, HELLO CUPCAKE by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com, TASTE OF HOME books http://www.tasteofhome.com , and a t-shirt from UPWITHCUPCAKES.COM http://www.upwithcupcakes.com. And as a special thank you, we would like to once again thank DIANAEVANS - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5599270 for her participation in the February challenge. An incorrect link was posted and we want to be sure that she gets the recognition she deserves. Thanks again Diana!
Iron Cupcake:Earth is sponsored in part by 1-800-Flowers, http://www.1800flowers.com.
Learn more at the Iron Cupcake Cuphub: http://ironcupcake.blogspot.com

Here's the recipe in case you would like to experience the almond raspberry goodness for yourself:
Raspberry Almond Cake:
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 c. almond butter
2 c. brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
3/4 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. raspberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper or foil liners. Sift first four ingredients together in a medium bowl. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and almond butter in a large bowl until well blended (about 2 minutes). Beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then vanilla and almond extracts. At low speed, beat in flour mixture in four additions with buttermilk in three additions. Fill cups 1/3 full and bake for 17-20 minutes. Cool completely before frosting. Yields about 3 dozen.

White Chocolate Almond Frosting:
6 oz. white baking chocolate (chopped up)
1/4 c. heavy cream
2 sticks butter
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
Pinch salt

Stir white chocolate and whipping cream in double boiler or pan over hot water until melted and smooth. Cool. Beat butter and sugar together until smooth. Add chocolate/cream mixture, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Beat on high until light and fluffy. Makes about 3 cups and keeps well in refrigerator. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with slivered almonds and whole raspberries if desired.