Ginger Cupcakes with Rhubarb Filling and Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

From the Cupcake Archives...

I still had quite a bit of rhubarb left after the last cupcake because I bought a crazy amount of it. I think you're starting to get just how much I truly love the stuff. Rhubarb is versatile, unique, has an interesting history, and if you don't know what you're doing could kill ya'. I want to pair it with blood orange some time, or maybe contrast it with mango or kiwi and see if something tropical would act as a good counterpoint to it.

However this cupcake was focused on some more traditional flavors. Rhubarb and ginger is a popular combo in England and for a while it dropped out of use, but it's starting to really make a comeback as chefs and restaurants are utilizing it for more and more for savory and sweet dishes (to any British readers, I'm just passing on what my friend in London told me). The spice of ginger pairs well with the tartness of the proud stalks, and when made into a blushing sweet compote creates a taste that's almost candy-like.

The rhubarb compote is rather strong so ginger was utilized in the cake, the frosting, and with presentation through candied ginger. The flavor was intensely gingery with that distinct pungent spice, perfectly counterbalanced by the sweet-tart colorful compote. I think ginger is a matter of taste though as I kind of wanted even more ginger flavor to come through and Rob wanted less. Play with it and see how you feel, the frosting is easy to alter in flavor so have fun with it. It's a refined cupcake for sure, I don't know if many children will like it; not that they'll dislike it, I think they would just cock their head to the side after a bite like a dog befuddled by a strange sound. All adults and hardcore food lovers out there will absolutely fall in love with this deliciously springtime pastry.

It's simple to make, easy on the pocket book, and fun to eat. Like most cupcakes, they taste better the nest day when flavors have a chance to marry. I look forward to future experiments with rhubarb. By the by, a special shout out to Elise for lending me that pastry kit and bags so I could practice my piping. (Update: Sorry, I just got the e-mails, the comments are enabled, my bad!)

Rhubarb Compote
What You'll Need...
2 1/2 cups of chopped rhubarb
3/4 cup of sugar

What You'll Do...
1) Mix the two together in a saucepan and let sit for about 15 minutes. Place on medium heat and stir occasionally, until the mixture is soft and the rhubarb has broken down a bit and has a soft pink color. Set aside to cool.
2) Drain the excess liquids before filling cupcakes, otherwise it will soak the cake.


Ginger Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes / 350 degree oven

What You'll Need...
1/4 cup of butter
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup of flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of milk
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger

What You'll Do...
1) Beat the butter for about 2 minutes until well creamed. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
2) Add the eggs one at a time and beat for 30 seconds each. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
3) Mix in the grated ginger.
4) Combine flour, salt, baking powder, and ground ginger and sift together. Add some of the flour mixture, then some of the milk, alternating between dry-wet-dry and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix together until just combined.
5) Scoop into cupcake papers.
6) Bake for about 15-18 minutes. Cupcakes will be dense, heavy, and moist. A toothpick should still come out clean. Let cool on a wire rack.
7) Cut out a small cone out of the top of the cupcake and spoon in some of the rhubarb compote. Cut the cakey part of the cone off and pace the cap back on. Or eat the whole thing. Go with what moves ya'.


Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting
What You'll Need...
1/4 cup of butter (1/2 a stick), room temperature
4 oz of Philly cream cheese (1/2 package), room temperature
2 cups of powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoons ground ginger (taste as you go)
1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
candied ginger (optional)

What You'll Do...
1) Cream the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes. Scraped down the sides and bottom.
2) Slowly add the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla to taste. Spread on cooled cupcakes. Decorated with chopped candied ginger.