Recipe of the Week! Vanilla Almond Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream

The flavor of the week was vanilla/almond.  Looking back, I should have just said almond b/c these cupcakes pack a mean almond punch!
I used Love and Olive Oil's recipe.  I've been reading her blog for a while now, and I found this recipe last year.  I had been meaning to try it out with my friend Chelsie, but we never got around to it.
This was a relatively simple recipe.  The actual cupcakes are vegan, but I used butter instead of coconut oil.  I have 7 pounds of it in my refrigerator.  Sue me.
So now...be prepared to revel in the glory of the BEST cupcakes I've ever tasted....

 

The taste of almond is the most powerful flavor in the cupcakes.  I got my almond extract from Penzeys Spices, and it's pretty strong stuff.

I thought the buttercream turned out kind of wet, so I'll probably use more powdered sugar next time. 
The texture is AMAZING!  They kind of fall apart because they're so light.

All in all, these were...the best cupcakes I've ever had.  I can't seem to find words to describe them.
My only complaint was how SWEET they are.  I will probably add a little bit of lemon zest to the frosting next time b/c between the almond and the vanilla...they were just ridiculously sweet.

What should I make next week?

Flavor of the Week...and NEWS!

Normally, I would announce this on Monday, and then the surprise of the weekend would be what I decided to make, but things are weird because it's the first week.

So...Flavor of the Week....vanilla/almond!

Not such a surprise, I'm making the vanilla almond cupcakes with blackberry buttercream!


Kitchen news! I will be doing some light renovations to our dismal can opener of a kitchen...including the purchase of a Martha Stewart Kitchenaid stand mixer. I will, of course be getting a batter scraping paddle, glass bowl, and pasta attachment.

Any name suggestions?


As a side note, if anyone would like to volunteer to be a taster let me know!

Better yet, if you would like to buy a batch that I have made for the blog, let me know! I can do special orders for parties, and I won't charge you out the butt like a cupcake shop would.


Last question...how do you feel about a bonus cupcake? Bacon with maple buttercream...?