February 20, 2013

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Happy Birthday to me! I'm one year older and wiser too (at least we hope so). Today also happens to be my 100th post. In celebration of this, the 100th post , and to give my fans a little gift of appreciation I am hosting a giveaway. TWO of my lucky readers will win a $25 Amazon gift card. Directions for entering are at the bottom of this post, but don't scroll down there just yet! These cupcakes are worth reading about.

I did not plan for this post to land right on my birthday, but it was really convenient because I only had to make celebration cupcakes once instead of twice.

Well actually, that's not entirely true. I made these cupcakes for the first time this weekend. I found a "from scratch" recipe in an old cookbook of mine. I hated the first attempt. They were dry and crumbly and there was something off about the buttercream frosting. 

I was so displeased with the results that the next day I gave it another go. The second time I used a cake mix and my own buttercream recipe and the end result was absolutely magical. They were fluffy, moist and full of flavor. If I could I would have shipped one of these cupcakes out to each and every one of my readers, because you are all just that awesome. 

Neapolitan Cupcakes and a GIVEAWAY!!! #recipe #giveaway www.the-taste-tester.com

Neapolitan Cupcakes

For the Cake:
1 (15.25 ounce) white cake mix *I used Betty Crocker
1 (3.4 ounce) package cheesecake or white chocolate instant pudding *I used  the cheesecake flavor
egg whites, oil, and water listed on back of the box
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoons strawberry extract
1/8-1/4 teaspoon red food coloring

For the Buttercream:
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 lbs powdered sugar
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons milk, divided
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon strawberry extract
8-10 drops red food coloring
chocolate jimmies (sprinkles)

To make the cake, preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake tins with 24 liners.

Combine the cake mix and pudding mix powder together in a medium size mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl whisk together the water, oil, and egg whites called for on the box of cake mix. Add the sour cream to the other wet ingredients and mix well. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Divide the cake batter into three equal portions (about 1 1/3 cup each).

To the first one third portion of batter, add the vanilla and the cocoa powder and whisk until fully combined. To the second portion of batter stir in the almond extract. To the last one third of batter, add the strawberry extract and red food coloring. Use 1/8 teaspoon of red food coloring for a lighter pink and 1/4 teaspoon for a darker pink (pictured below is the 1/4 teaspoon pink).

Using two spoons, scoop a tablespoon of each batter into each cupcake tin. I do chocolate on the bottom, white in the middle, and pink on top. Draw a toothpick or skewer back and forth  in the batter to create a marble effect.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in tins and then remove cupcakes to a cooling rack.

To Make the Buttercream, (in a stand mixer fitted with the cookie paddle attachment), whip butter for one minute until it is white and fluffy. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar slowly while the mixer is running. Once it is all added turn the mixer on to medium high and whip for one minute. Add the 2 tablespoons of milk. Divide the frosting into three equal portions (like we did previously with the cake batter). Leave one portion in the mixer.

Leave one third of frosting as is. To the second third of frosting (the one left in the mixer) add the 2 teaspoons of milk and the cocoa powder. Whip in the mixer until its all combined. To the last portion of frosting, whisk in the strawberry extract and the red food coloring.

Frost the cupcakes with a white stripe in the center, and a pink and chocolate stripe on either side of the white stripe. I dipped my chocolate stripe in chocolate jimmies, which I thought was cute!

They look yummy don't they? Well, they were. 

Neapolitan Cupcakes and a GIVEAWAY!!! #recipe #giveaway www.the-taste-tester.com

Recipe Source: an Amanda Jenks original


67 comments:

  1. I am thinking that we will have burritos or tostadas for dinner tonight. I have some chicken, beans, rice, and all the fixings for salsa and guac.

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  2. I already like your facebook page.

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  3. I think I'll be having meatloaf for dinner.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  4. Happy Birthday!!!

    Shared on Pinterest:

    http://pinterest.com/pin/400046379370009905/

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  5. Soup... Soup for dinner :)
    Happy Birthday Sister!

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  6. I love you on Facebook!

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  7. Shared on Pinterest...

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  8. Love you on Pinterest too!!!

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  9. I haven't decided on dinner tonight, but I'm thinking zucchini soup with baguette and raspberries.

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  10. I'm thinking chicken noodle soup for dinner at our house.

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  11. For dinner tonight I am thinking stuffed french bread!

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  12. Jenae Williamson-we are eating chicken chili tonight!

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  13. Jenae Williamson- I had never looked at your blog before today and i got to see i'm really impressed with everything. GOOD JOB!

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  14. Jenae Williamson-I pinned your cupcakes on Pinterest!

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  15. Jenae Williamson-I shared your link on facebook!

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  16. Jenae Williamson-I liked your Page on Facebook.

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  17. Jenae Williamson-I'm following you on Pinterest!

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  18. Follow on pinterest http://pinterest.com/fencingshann/

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  19. Pinned this great recipe
    http://pinterest.com/pin/165859198749204398/

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  20. I actually got on facebook to tell you I am making the crock pot spaghetti from your blog for dinner tonight! That's lucky that telling you that also enters me into a giveaway. :) The sauce has been simmering since 1 and it's smelling really good!

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  21. I will have Hamburger Soup with crackers.

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  22. I already liked your Facebook page.

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  23. And, I pinned this post to Pinterest.

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  24. We had homemade pizza for dinner.

    Happy birthday!

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  25. I also shared it with my Facebook friends.

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  26. We're having my homemade mac and cheese! Happy Birthday - the cupcakes look so fun!

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  27. Tonight's meal is going to be barley risotto with asparagus and artichoke hearts.

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  28. Liked your page on Facebook.

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  29. Tonight I'm probably going to eat frozen yogurt for dinner! I have a sore throat, so that makes it okay....

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  30. We are having spaghetti & meatballs!

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  31. Homemade spinach and ricotta manicotti with tomato sauce :)

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  32. I'm having sausage, peppers and pasta. :)

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  33. So maybe it's not a real dinner, but my sister is bringing me homemade banana bread from my parents house and I don't think I'll be able to help myself! Other than that snap peas and chicken are on the menu!

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  34. Amanda, love your blog! It is fun and educational! Thanks for all your hard work!

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  35. You should come checkout shaffer-sisters.com! We could be network buddies!

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  36. I am eating Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts for dinner :)

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  37. I already had dinner...and we made TexMex stuffed shells with ground beef and green chili sauce. Chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert :o)

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  38. I'm going to "like" your page on good ol' Facebook, too!

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  39. I posted this blog post to my page, as well.

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  40. I caved and pinned this to my Pinterest...

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  41. ...and then I looked at your Pinterest boards and new I MUST follow them all!

    c.j. (aka Jenny Cooper)

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  42. Tonight will be spiced orange chicken breasts with basmati rice.

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  43. Linguine with sauteed garlic and red pepper flakes.

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  44. These look delicious! Tonight we are having an indoor picnic with hoagie sandwiches in protest of more snow.

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  45. Well, happy birthday! My birthday was just a few weeks ago, but how fun for you that yours fell on such a big blogging day! For dinner tonight we had BBQ pulled pork potatoes and green beans.

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  46. Tonight's dinner was baby eggplants in tomato juice stuffed with brown rice made with onion, sun dry tomatoes, walnuts, herbs and spices. Yum!

    Happy birthday!

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  47. We are most likely having frozen pizza for dinner...I know, it's lame, but hey I have a 12 day old baby who zaps all my energy! Happy birthday Amanda!

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  48. I "like" your page on Facebook!

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  49. Yummy Tacos for dinner tonight! :-)
    All other steps followed too :-)

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  50. We are having Fajitas! Happy Birthday a little late!

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  51. I've already had dinner tonight, but it was a bowl of oatmeal since I'm a little under the weather. Tomorrow if I'm feeling up to it, I'll make chili!
    Happy birthday, btw :]

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  52. Oh, and I follow you on Pinterest.

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  53. So sweet, this very nice. I am very excited to try this at home for my nephew and niece

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Speak your mind! I'd love to answer any questions you might have.