On Friday, our new niece and nephew were born. We welcome them with all the particular delight of child-free newlyweds: oooh, goody, a pair of children we can coddle and spoil and take to the zoo, and then hand back at the end of the day. Although if we're a good aunt and uncle, we'll probably give their parents an occasional break and take them for an extended visit, if we're allowed. We've been going to the hospital every day since their birth -- even the Puerto Rican Day weekend festival and parade did not deter us. Our new duties have been fun. We bring lunch, we bring my father down to the hospital for his first gander at his new grandkids, we bring bottled water -- and we're proud and happy to be on call for any and all needs of slightly exhausted but totally ecstatic new parents.
I don't have pictures yet. My brother, the justly beaming papa, took a break from learning to swaddle and diaper and tried to send me some photos, but the file wouldn't open. He'll try to re-send, but for now, you'll just have to take my word for the beauty of these miracle children, who were 7 pounds for baby boy, and 6 pounds 4 ounces for baby girl. Apparently this is very large for twins -- so say the nursing staff on the maternity unit.
My valiant sister-in-law is pretty tired. The birth was a caesarean, but not easy by any means. And since there are few foods in this world that she likes better than cupcakes, particularly lemon cupcakes, my path was clear. We left elaborate flower arrangements to others, and I got up early on Saturday morning to bake. I didn't have exactly the recipe I wanted. I was going for a cupcake that would both tender and toothsome, fine-crumbed and almost velvety. I thought about several recipes I'd made in the past, and combined the finer points of several. I grated lemon zest, and invented a frosting that sparkled with lemon, but was smoothly sweet too. The capper was a tiny wedge of paper-thin lemon slice, and a blueberry, just for balance -- sort of like the bright red cherries on top of old-fashioned bakery cupcakes.
A few were iced with a simple chocolate whipped ganache, both for my brother -- who likes chocolate AND lemon -- as well as for nursing staff, doctors and visitors to the room who might prefer chocolate, and so leave the lemon ones for the new mama.
"The best cupcakes ever!" the new parents both crowed in a phone call later. Welcome to the world, we say -- welcome to our new little ones, and welcome to a world that by their advent is forever changed: to their parents, first and foremost, and to all of us who will love them and care for them from this day forth.
Lightly Lemon Cupcakes
I'm not always 100% crazy about my own culinary experiments -- but like our family's new twins, these cupcakes are keepers.
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
Grated zest of two (organic or wax-free) lemons
1 teaspoon Madagascar vanilla extract or paste
3 cups all-purpose flour
6 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sour cream (or yogurt or crème fraîche, or a combination)
Preheat oven to 350º F. In a mixing bowl, or in a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and continue beating until mixture is light and fluffy. Add lemon peel and vanilla and mix well. Sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream/dairy mixture (I used a combination of sour cream, crème fraîche and yogurt, since that was what I had in the fridge). The batter will be quite thick. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with about 1/4 cup of batter. Bake at for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 30 cupcakes.
Lusciously Lemony Icing
2 oz. unsalted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
Juice of one lemon
Few drops of lemon oil
Few drops of pure lemon extract
Pinch salt
Beat butter and cream cheese together. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Add lemon juice, extract, lemon oil and salt. Beat well and taste. Add more of any of the flavoring elements, or more confectioners' sugar, as you wish, until it's just perfect to your taste. If it's a very hot day, this icing gets a tiny bit drippy, and may need some time to chill and firm up in the refrigerator for a perfect spreadable consistency.
Congrats Aunt Julie and clan, and welcome to the world to your new niece and nephew!!
Mmmmmm, lemon. As David Lebovitz would say about me, "I'm one of those lemon people"!! (there's a great post on his blog about lemon people). My brother is a choc.-n-lemon person, much like your brother, so I like the idea of icing some with choc. frosting and some with lemon.
When I was a new mom, I would've much rather had cupcakes, homemade lemon ones especially, than flowers. Good call =)
Posted by: Glenda | June 10, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Congratulations--what joy! Welcome to the wonderful world of auntie-hood, I am sure you will love it. I've been out of town the past few weeks and I can't tell you how much I've missed my two little niece-lets. It's an almost visceral thing. Enjoy, enjoy!
And those cupcakes--yum! Right up my alley.
Posted by: Tea | June 11, 2007 at 12:31 AM
Congratulations Julie - I think being an aunt is the best job of all! Your cupcakes are beautiful and sound delicious!
Posted by: Cathy | June 11, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Oh, lucky babies. Oh, lucky new parents. Oh, lucky us. Have I mentioned what a grand thing it is to know and love you, and what a generous thing that heart of yours is?
Posted by: Bakerina | June 11, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Congratulations, Julie! And, welcome to the club! I am so happy for you. You'll be the best aunt ever, I just know it. Those lucky babies. :)
Did I mention we've got a new addition, again? Another little nephew arrived a couple of months ago. That makes four little boys under the age of six. Heehee, I love spoiling them, but rarely do I want them to go home at the end of the day. I consisder them to be 'my children' only they're once removed because they came from my relatives. Aunts like to think up stuff like this...lol.
My best to you and Geoff and the new mom and dad. I can't wait to see photos.
Love you lots,
Lea x
Posted by: Lea | June 11, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Thanks Glenda -- I'm so glad you think cupcakes were the right call! The parents seem to agree.
Bakerina darlin', your sentiments are returned a thousandfold -- truly, truly.
Tea and Cathy and Lea dear -- thanks for welcoming me to the realm of auntie-hood. It's going to be so much fun...
Posted by: Julie | June 11, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Yes they are the best cupcakes in the world -- made by the best sister/sister-in-law/aunt...(he said before conking out)...
Posted by: Joe C | June 12, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Congratulations to all. May your cup(cakes) continuously runneth over with wonderful events.
Joe B.
Posted by: Joe Bellacero | June 15, 2007 at 07:30 AM
Thanks to both Joes -- the brother/new dad, and the treasured colleague as well. And happy father's day to you both!
Posted by: Julie | June 17, 2007 at 05:54 PM
I think you may be in line for a title involving "cupcakes" and royalty of some sort. Those look and sound excellent.
New addition here too.Two of my very best friends, who lived with me for 5 years, have been waiting to adopt a baby for ever. They were feeling they should maybe give up, when the agency came through with their beautiful 4 mouth old daughter!
I'm an honorary grandmother, and over the moon. They decided to keep her foster name, "Grace", called "Gracie", because it suits her. And now, their house is generally known as "Graceland".
Gracie is a terribly clever baby.
Posted by: lindy | June 17, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Hi, I just recently started reading your entries, and I'm loving everything that you've made!! Just wanted to tell you :]
And these cupcakes look sooo good!
And congrats on the new born!
Posted by: Tarah | June 24, 2007 at 10:26 AM
Just wanted to thank you for this recipe ... it has become my new favorite cupcake recipe! For delicious vanilla cupcakes, you can eliminate the lemon zest and add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract (I use 1 tsp extract and 1 tsp paste). Thank you thank you thank you!!
Posted by: Debbie V | January 17, 2009 at 10:49 AM
they look mouthwatering. i just can't wait to try this recipe.
Posted by: self storage glendale | November 03, 2010 at 06:04 PM
I made the Lusciously Lemony Icing, but instead of using it on cupcakes I served it with fruit salad and icecream.. It was a total success!!
I is because the Icing is so delicious!!
thanks for the recipe!!
Posted by: video surveillance | February 27, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Cup Cakes wow this type of recipes are always good to give your loved ones little of that love back beause is very comforting to see this very delicious and easy.
Posted by: miami office space | March 25, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Wow, I’m obviously not being creative enough, haha…Great work!
Posted by: Cheap jerseys | November 10, 2011 at 08:00 PM