LEMON CUPCAKES from my mentor!

Dear Ria and Jobin,

Congratulations to the cutest couple who finally ended their long distance romance and boarded the bus of dreams and happiness, to start a beautiful journey together in life! Though I have not met you or talked  to you in person, for me Ria was always that chirpy new blogger who kept knocking on my blog doors in the beginning of 2009, asking for new posts , when I was on a long hiatus from the blogosphere ….the girl who  got magic on her fingers to weave ‘gold flowers’ and mint ‘gold coins’ ………and Jobin, you’ re her prince charming who promised her a cheese castle when she finally joined you in your kingdom……… A couple who easily found a place in my heart!

So, sometime towards the end of last year when Ria approached me to do a guest post for her blog to keep her ‘hungry blog’ alive in her absence at the time of for her wedding, I immediately said ‘yes’ and started dreaming in pink shades of wedding petite fours…those pretty little heart shaped iced beauties and in my dreams I dotted some of them with silver dragees and embroidered some with cute little white hearts and oh yeah, they looked so pretty and appropriate for the occasion, in my dreams!!!!

Amidst making promises, planning and decorating, what I ignored was the fact that I had been baking a cute little thing in my oven and it would be ready in a short period and from there, the once taken for granted things – like sipping a cup of my morning tea with the love of my life, after an undisturbed 6-8 hours of sleep or brushing teeth looking at the mirror and wondering why the morning skin glow is not like the usual or throwing myself into the couch to adore the beauty of clear blue sky through my French windows or read a book- would be a luxury that the time and sleep deprived are not even privileged to dream of …..and to even think about ‘blo….’ was an unpardonable mistake !

Yet the promise I made was always at the back of my mind, especially on those sleep deprived nights while rocking my little king, all swaddled up and cozy in my arms. But I couldn’t bring myself to write even a line as the shores of creativity had got drained up and  I was caught up with a serious blogger’s block and the only words that flow in my mind now are ‘nap time, feeding time, diaper change’ !!!But an hour back when I checked your blog, I realised that the parade of guest bloggers was over long time back and you re well settled in your new kitchen and have started hosting parties and buying tubs of cream cheese and touching real peaches for the first time in your life!  J So, I had to try scribbling something with one eye fixed on the baby monitor and that blinking red light makes me restless!

I know that parade and party is over and the entire blog world celebrated your wedding and though late, I send you these humble cupcakes from three of us….perfect to relish on one of those afternoons when both of you relive the memories of your long distance romance……let there always be a sunshine smile on your faces and I wish you both years and years of togetherness and happiness J

Lemon Cupcakes

(Recipe Source : Gorgeous cakes by Annie Bell)

For the cake:

• ½ cup ( 1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup raw ( or regular) sugar
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 2 medium eggs, separated
• 5 tablespoon milk
• 1 cup flour, sifted with 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp sea salt or regular salt

For frosting:

• 1 ¼ cup confectioners sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice strained

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F
• Cream the butter and sugar in a food processor until almost white. Incorporate the lemon zest and egg yolks, then the milk ( it may look curdled at this point) . Transfer the batter to a large bowl. Sift the flour and baking powder twice, then fold them, a third at a time, into the batter, as lightly as possible, followed by the second half. Arrange paper cups inside a muffin tray and fill two thirds full with batter.
• Bake for 17-20 minutes until risen and springy to the touch. Remove and let cool.
• For frosting, blend the confectioner’s sugar with lemon juice, and tint it pale yellow with a little coloring. Smooth a heaping teaspoon of frosting on each cake. Let set for about an hour.

Hope both of you will enjoy these lemon cupcakes that are so soft, spongy and springy. If you ‘re in a romantic mood, place a sugared violet or any other flower of your choice over this “ sugary blanket of sticky lemon frosting” J

With lots of love and prayers

Shn

Dear Shn,

Shn...that name was intruiging for me! And Mishmash...even more! It was not just that ,it was actually your way of bringing life and re-kindling old memories and the dishes that faded along with it. But, when I went through your archive, it showcased an array of baked goodies and whatnot!! I just simply love your blog!!

I really thought you were a 'strict' woman, because there was something so 'no- nonsense' about you.And when it was time for me to ask you for a guest post, I was seriously scared, but, at the same time I wanted one from you! :D  So I gathered up all the li'l courage that I ever had ;) and sent you an email. And the response was a yes! WOO HOO! 

Thank you SO much Shn, for accepting my offer and taking time from your busy busy days to think, bake, click & write for me! I wouldn't have had any problem if you sent the post after your li'l King's First Birthday too! :) 

The cupcakes look SO cute , and I love that you dreamt a lot about doing that 'petit fours' for us :) As usual, your pics are marvellous!

Thank You!

Lots of love and prayers,

Ria