Almond Cupcakes with Almond Buttercream

For the Cupcakes:

ingredients preparation
  • 270g
    all-purpose flour
  • 12g
    Baking powder
  • 2g
    salt
  • 170g
    unsalted butter, softened
  • 170g
    granulated sugar
  • 5g
    vanilla extract
  • 165g
    whole eggs, room temperature
  • 76g
    yoghurt
  • 113g
    Whole milk
  1. Preheat the convection oven to 325°F. Line muffin pans with paper liners.
  2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside.
  3. Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the American Almond® Almond Paste with the sugar until the mixture looks crumbly.
  4. Gradually add in the softened butter, and mix until well combined with each addition. Continue creaming until the mixture is fluffy.
  5. Slowly add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
  6. Combine the yogurt and milk. Add the liquids to the butter mixture alternating with the dry ingredients in three additions, scraping the bowl well after each addition is added.
  7. Scoop the batter into the pans using a #20 scoop.
  8. Bake for approx. 15-18 minutes until the cupcakes crest slightly, brown, and spring back when pressed lightly in the center.
  9. Cool the cupcakes completely.

For the Buttercream:

ingredients preparation
  1. Cream the softened butter together with the almond butter in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. Gently whisk the egg whites and sugar over a bain-marie until the egg mixture reaches 60°C.
  3. Pour into the mixer fitted with the whip attachment; mix on low for two minutes.
  4. Switch to high speed until the mixture is a firm peak and cooled to body temperature.
  5. Switch to the flat paddle to add the creamed butter in steady increments. Add the vanilla extract and mix until the buttercream is homogenized.

To Finish:

ingredients preparation
  1. Place the almond buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  2. Generously frost the cupcakes with the buttercream.
  3. Once the cupcakes are all frosted, dip the frosting halfway into Van Leer® Dark Ultimate Cake Coating or any chocolate glaze.
  4. Sprinkle some American Almond® Almond Brittle Crunch on top of the coating or glaze before it sets and finish by putting a cherry on top.