Easter Treats: Pistachio Lime Cupcakes with a White Chocolate Frosting

Pistachio Cupcakes-0035 by Meeta K. Wolff

I am realizing the restrictions a person has when part of the body does not function as usual. Simple things that we take for granted have become frustrating obstacles.

Have you ever actually thought about the simple act of climbing or coming down the stairs? Living in a 3 storey house this has become my daily feat. Taking it for granted as I would often run up and down the stairs from kitchen to my studio to my prop attic. 

It’s not easy now. I cannot bend the knee to a 90 degree angle so the extra angle I need to do the stairs is not easy. I am training everyday with my physiotherapist and it’s getting better and better. My legs need to be strong before I go into surgery. Then I will have to go through the whole thing again. The brace, the training … my knee will be my problem zone till summer comes around.

If it ever comes around that is! Right now it is looking more like a winter wonderland in Weimar. Everyday I wake up to a little more snow and apparently it’s supposed to stay this way till Easter. A white Easter? Imagine that!

I am defying it all I can with lot’s of colorful flowers in the house and dreaming of sensual ripe cherries and picnics in the park and just looking forward to spending more time in the warmth. I think my knee would like that too. It’s time that Spring shows itself soon!

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BBT Logo neu A little while ago I received a big package from the lovely people at Blueboxtree Parties. Like a child on an egg hunt I dug into the styrofoam pieces and picked out, not eggs, but beautifully wrapped cake stands and decorations. The stunning mint green cakestand inspired the girlie in me and I found myself in the kitchen making cupcakes.

Now for those who know me will know that I am not the type to make cute little frosted cupcakes. It’s just not me. But something about browsing through the Blueboxtree website brought out the urge to make frosted cupcakes. These are not the real girlie cupcakes. Seriously! Look around the blogoshpere and you will see intricately decorated cupcakes with sprinkles and sparkles. Seriously? I’d rather spend my time eating my baked treats rather than spending all that time bent over the frosting. It’s not good for the back nor is it good for my knee. So folks this is the best you will get out of frosted cupcakes on What’s For Lunch, Honey?

The color of the cakestand inspired me to use a jar of pistachio cream I had in my pantry and trying to ignore the white and grey outside I used the cute Easter decorations I got from Blueboxtree Parties.

These cupcakes have a fantastic light and fluffy texture somewhere between a financier and muffin. I made these with Sandy who not only helped me whisk and pipe in the kitchen but was also my lovely model and assistant during the shoot. I feel that the recipe definitely needs more crunch so please go ahead and add a handful of chopped pistachios to the batter. They make a special treat to hide in the Easter nests and will be a hit on your Easter brunch or coffee table. 

Recipe: Pistachio and Lime Cupcakes

Printable version of recipe here

Pistachio Cupcakes-0035 by Meeta K. Wolff

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • Zest and juice from 2 limes
  • 6 eggs
  • 250g pistachio cream
  • 150g sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
  • 100ml sunflower oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ ml milk
  • 500g flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
For the frosting
  • 150g butter
  • 350g icing sugar
  • 75g white chocolate, melted
  • 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped

Method:

  1. Line a muffin baking from (for 12 muffins) with paper forms. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C.
  2. In a clean mixing bowl whisk together the lime zest, 2 tablespoons lime juice, eggs the pistachio cream, sugar, vanilla seeds. oil and milk. Add the dry ingredients and using a spatula mix together until the batter is smooth and the lumps have disappeared.
  3. Fill the muffin forms with half of the mixture and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. Line the baking form with 12 additional paper forms and fill with remaining batter and bake as previously.
  4. To make the frosting cream the butter, vanilla seeds and icing sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in the melted chocolate. And fill into a piping bag using your favorite icing nozzle. Place in the refrigerator to set a bit.
  5. Once the cupcakes have cooled completely decorate them with the icing, placing a raspberry (or half) on top for the color.
  6. Place in the refrigerator (if your kitchen is warm) until time to serve.


Verdict

Pistachio Cupcakes-0032 by Meeta K. Wolff

If you want the cupcakes to have a more vivid green color add some organic food coloring to the batter. I can also see these with desiccated coconut in the batter for a tropical flavor. Pistachios and coconut make a great flavor pairing … I might be experimenting with those next.

Next week I will take you on a virtual trip through the 2 workshop days we had here in Weimar last weekend. If you want to get a sneak peek at what we were up to check out the Storify page and our Pinterest board. Until then have an awesome week and a relaxing weekend.

You might like these Easter ideas from WFLH:

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Muscovado Sugar Orange and Cardamom Easter Wreath Light Mousse au Chocolat with Baileys Crème Caramel Buttery Saffron Brioche


All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2012 Meeta Khurana Wolff unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

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26 comments:

  1. Those cupcakes must taste divine! That is such a great flavor combo. A taste of spring...

    It is terribly crippling to have a part of the body not functioning. Courage and take care!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. Yes Rosa .. I feel crippled and distracting myself with cupcakes that I would never bake ;o) But they did taste good!

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  2. I think they look quite cute and pretty Meeta.. Lol... I can only imagine the hassle your leg must give you. I would go bananas if it happened to me! (fingers crossed it won't) I'm loving the sound of these pistachio cupcakes although I never bake cupcakes for fun since I have to bake them too many times for work already.. ;)

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    1. You see I never baked them for work yet - luckily! The leg is working as best as it can!

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  3. Hello my rocket girl! It was a pleasure to bake and chat and laugh and do all the "girlie stuff" but we have been adult girlies, right ;-)! If you need for some reason a hand model - here I am - with lots of different nailpolish colors pairing well with your styling props :-)
    Hugs,
    Sandy

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    1. I know where to find the best hand model ;o) It was a fun day!

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  4. These look absolutely delicious. Would pistachio cream be similar to peanut butter, just with pistachios? Hope your leg gets better soon!

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    1. The pistachio cream is similar to peanut butter only it is slightly lighter and not so heavy like peanut butter. One can actually substitute this recipe with any kind of nut butter or chocolate spread!

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  5. Great mix of flavor. Take care of your knee. Take care.

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  6. Hope you are feeling better, Meeta! The bouquet and cuppies are very cheerful..my thoughts for you, and I'm sure the op will be a breeze x

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  7. Hi! I just find your page and I love it... amazing pictures! (and amazing cupcakes) I'm not very into cupcakes, but that's just because I think I don't have enough art to do what you do! I'm gonna take a look!

    kisses from Spain

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    1. I do not have enough art either - this is the best here LOL! But hey we all have to leave our comfort zone right?

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  8. Such gorgeous clicks and beautiful cupcakes - I love how you style your food - so classy and stylish! Whenever i see a new post from you I spent atleast 15 -20 minutes here :)
    I really hope you feel better soon - Take care !!

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    1. Shema thank you so much! Glad you like my posts ... such comments just puts a spring in me and my posts :o)

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  9. Meeta, I am so sorry for the knee and I pray it heals soon! Love the cupcakes! So bright and springy :)

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  10. The cake stand immediately caught my eye, it's gorgeous!

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  11. Such a beautiful cake stand. I love the color! The cupcakes sound delicious too.

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  12. I hope that buy now you are much better. Knees injuries do heal very slowly. Pistachio in any recipe already gets my taste buds all excited. Little morcels of 'pistachioness' are irresistable. Just need to google how to make pistachio cream.

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  13. Beautiful photography and I cannot wait to try the Pistachio and Lime Cupcakes. I like the idea of adding coconut to it!

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  14. Oh I know what you mean about part of the body not functioning as usual, it is very frustrating indeed! For me it is because I only just found out last summer that I have an autoimmune illness which makes me very weak and tired all the time. You just want to move on but your body doens't want to come with you ;-)
    Hope you feel better soon!
    Oh I must ask, would you mind sharing where you found that fabulous cakes stand? Been looking for it all over!

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  15. Can't take my eyes off of pic #3 :) In love of your photography, Meeta !

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Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta