PEACH BELLINI CUPCAKES

is it just me or is the month of march filled with booze-induced holidays? mardi gras, st. patrick's day, a crazy number of birthdays? well, the purpose of this recipe was for a co-worker's birthday. my co-workers have the pleasure of being my guinea pigs, but i'm not hearing any complaints.

i may have mentioned this already, but i am intrigued by the idea of turning one thing into a whole new awesome thing. case in point, peach bellini beverage into a very delicate, girly cupcake. this is perfect for any shower or a girlfriend's birthday. the champagne is light, but present and the peaches give the cupcake a delightfulness that anyone can appreciate.

PEACH BELLINI CUPCAKES
posted on sing for your supper on march 2, 2011

• 3 c all-purpose flour
• 3 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 c (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 c sugar
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 6 egg whites
• 3/4 c champagne
• 1/4 c peach schnapps
• 1 small peach, peeled and diced

preheat oven to 350°F. line muffin pan.

in a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. set aside.

in a separate mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar for 3-5 mins until light and fluffy. add vanilla, then beat in egg whites, one at a time.

in a 1-cup measuring cup, combine champagne and schnapps. add in half the flour mixture into the butter/sugar mixture and blend. then add champagne/schnapps mixture and blend. then, the remaining flour mixture and blend. gently stir in diced peaches.

pour batter into prepared pan, filling 2/3 full. bake at 25-30 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean.

PEACHY CHAMPAGNE FROSTING

• 3/4 c (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 4 c powdered sugar
• 1/4 c champagne
• 1 T milk
• 1 t peach schnapps
• 2-3 drops red food coloring (optional)

in a bowl, beat together butter and vanilla. add sugar in one cup increments, then add champagne, milk, peach schnapps, and food coloring.

frost cupcakes once they have completely cooled.

my yummy tip: i'm not sure what i'm doing wrong with the frosting, but it just melts after it sits out too long. i will have to re-attempt this recipe for a future shower or birthday and get back to you.