The temperature reached to 90 degrees yesterday and I really didn't feel like turning the oven on and heating up the house and honestly I wasn't really in the mood for a dessert with maple syrup. Even though the intro to the recipe encourages you to make them at any time of the year, typically when I think of maple syrup I think of fall and winter. I thought these would be heavy like a pancake and since I only eat maybe one pancake a year, I wasn't all that excited, so I almost didn't make these.
I halved the recipe to make twelve cupcakes, but I couldn't bring myself to add a full cup of maple syrup because it just seemed too much, so I put 3/4 of a cup instead. That was the only alteration I made. I made these at 10:00 last night and it didn't take very long to mix and bake them. In my oven it took longer than the suggested time. After 20 minutes they were done, but light in color and I wanted them darker so I left them in for another 7 minutes.
I iced a couple of them and on one of them I sprinkled some turbinado sugar.
John, of course, ate only the plain and thinks these are fantastic. He is glad I didn't put more maple syrup in the batter and he said they aren't very sweet which is the way he likes his cupcakes.
Usually I disagree with him on the frosting when it comes to cakes and cupcakes, but this time I agree that these can stand on their own and the subtle flavor of the maple syrup and the taste of the walnuts really shine without the frosting which I thought really overwhelmed the flavors of the cupcake. I am looking forward to seeing what the BAKED members thought about this one. You can see their links over at BAKED Sunday Mornings and you can also get the recipe there.
90 degrees! It's been warm here this month, but this morning I wore my warm coat to church. I'm hoping for spring weather soon - although I'm not expecting 90 degrees.
ReplyDeleteI agree also....these cupcakes can stand on their own! They are quite tasty. Yours look delish!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about heating up the house on a hot day....when I went to bed last night I checked the temp of our room and it was 100^. I'm sure I added to our inside heat. We finally had to turn on the A/C. Despite the heat, I'm glad I made these too. Hubby LOVES maple flavored baked goods and ice cream. Makes me happy to find a new special recipe that he really likes...maybe it will become a birthday cake for him. Your cupcakes and presentation are beautiful...all looks so inviting.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit biased, because cream cheese frosting is one of my favorite things in the whole world -- but I found the frosting addicting! But the maple and walnuts are strong flavors on their own -- lovely cupcakes!
ReplyDeleteI too was hesitant to make these maple cupcakes, but in the end I was very glad that I did. I really like that you decided to sprinkle a little sugar on top instead of frosting.I will have to remember that for next time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure these were good without frosting - but, oh, the frosting was delicious!
ReplyDeleteOk, now I wish I made these. But this would make a good loaf cake I think too? :) Good for John - no frosting necessary! I like that. Makes it so easy and even better with tea! Love your display! And the wire ware!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! And you're much braver than me, modifying the recipe right out the chute. I think I might do the same if I make them again.
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThese cupcakes sound fab - I like maple syrup. I love the appearance of the frosted ones, but I know what you mean about liking cakes plain - so do I!
ReplyDeleteWhat perfectly delicious looking cupcakes! Great post!
ReplyDeleteThese look beautiful, Elaine! My FIL adores anything maple, so these would be a great treat to take to him :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Elaine! Love your frosting swirls…so pretty!
ReplyDeleteElaine, I should have commented before because I looked at your blog post before...I get too easily distracted these days. I am so jealous of that cake stand!!! I love these wire cake stands, impossible to find around here. But the cupcakes I will have to try not only because I have tons of Canadian maple syrup in my basement but because your cupcakes look so yummy with and without the frosting - my husbans does not eat frosting either. Maybe next week. Sorry, I was so late in commenting...
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