Posh Cupcakes & Comfort Muffins

So that wedding I went to, the bride was very particular about the wedding cake, or rather the wedding cupcakes. She hunted down a baker who apparently is infamous for luxury cupcakes. These are no ordinary cupcakes... they are red velvet cupcakes. Each cupcake was monikered and came in its very own good quality, waxed cupcake box with a clear window so you can see the pedigree cupcake.

What's a velvet cupcake? Took me a while to figure it out. The texture is that of crushed velvet fabric. Supposedly luxe and decadent. I tried to capture the furry-like texture.

It had a good sinking bite, fluffy yet quite heavy in a chewable way. I could not make out the flavour of the cupcake. She had told me before, but my mind must have drifted off at that time. The rich butter cream was loaded with sugar and was the only flavour I could detect.

I did not catch the hype of this cupcake. When I think cupcakes, I envision light, fluffy buttery clouds that melt on the tongue. Not cake impostering as something I would wear. I give credit for the uniqueness and I may buy them if I come across them again. But I wouldn't rank them as the ultimate treat.

Last weekend I came across Anna Olsen's recipe for Blueberry Muffins and gave it a go. They turned out to be one of the better B.M recipes.

Makes 12 Muffins

• 1/3 cup (75 mL) canola oil
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) honey
• 2 x large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups (300 mL) 2% plain yogurt
• 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest
• 1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) fresh blueberries

All muffin recipes basically have the following principal. Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl, in another mix the dry ingredients, then combine. No need for technique or skill for mixing because muffins are meant to be heavier and crumbly.

Line your muffin tins with cupcake paper if you like. (I ran out at the last one!)

Add the wet ingredients slowly and just mix to make the batter.

I started spooning the batter to the cases when I remembered about the blueberries...wouldn't be much point making blueberry muffins without the blueberries now would it?? I only had frozen blueberries and they tend to hold more moisture. Fresh blueberries have less water content, they are also a little more tarty.

The smell of honey, orange zest and butter is one of the most comforting scents. Very homely. Very worthwhile.