Due to the time consuming activity called writing a thesis, I haven't had much time for baking lately. I did do the cheese challenge (gorgonzola and pear), but was too late to post it on my blog. But now I found time to do some more and made truly yummie cranberry and white chocolate cupcakes. Check them out :)

Sweet and sour cupcakes

Makes 6

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

• ½ cup all purpose flour

• ¼ cup buttermilk

• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

• Yolk of 1 large egg, at room temperature

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• Handful of fresh cranberries

• Small handful of white chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Fit paper liners into the muffin pan.

2. Combine the buttermilk and baking soda in a small bowl, stir to mix. Whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla.

3. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl, add sugar and salt. Whisk to blend well. Add the butter and half of the buttermilk mixture. Beat with a mixer on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the mixture is lightened and has slightly increased in volume. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the rest of the buttermilk mixture. Beat on medium speed until well blended.

4. Add the cranberries and white chocolate and gently fold them into the batter.

5. Divide the batter evenly over the 6 cups. Fill empty cups with a bit of water to prevent them from scorching. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean. This should take about 20-25 minutes.

6. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes from the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pretty in pink frosting

Ingredients:

• Your favorite butter cream

• 3 teaspoons of cranberry compote

• Shavings of white chocolate

• 6 fresh cranberries

Stir 3 teaspoons of cranberry compote into your favorite buttercream. Spread it on the cupcakes (or do some fancy piping). Decorate with shavings of white chocolate and a fresh cranberry.