Anise-Licorice Delight Cupcakes with Fluffy Frosting
Celebrate any occasion with these delectable Anise-Licorice Delight Cupcakes! Inspired by my dad's birthday cravings, these soft and fluffy cupcakes are infused with rich anise flavor and topped with a cloud-like fluffy white frosting. For an added touch of nostalgia, these treats are adorned with delightful bits of licorice on top, making them a perfect treat for licorice lovers. Using accessible anise extract instead of steeping licorice root, this recipe strikes a balance between ease and flavor while retaining the essence of licorice. A must-try for all cupcake aficionados!
N/A
Servings
194
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cake Flour
2 cups (Sifted)
Baking Powder
2 teaspoons (Dry)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (Dry)
Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup (Room temperature)
Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Granulated (can be flavored with anise))
Milk
1 cup (Warmed)
Egg Whites
3 large (approximately 1/2 cup) (Separate from yolks)
Licorice Candy
To taste (Chopped or whole for decoration)
Egg Whites
2 large (approximately 1/3 cup) (For frosting)
Sugar
1 1/2 cups (Granulated (for frosting))
Cream of Tartar
1/2 teaspoon (For stabilizing frosting)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (For frosting)
Water
1/3 cup (For frosting)
Light Corn Syrup
2 teaspoons (For frosting)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (For frosting)
Anise Extract
1/2 teaspoon (For frosting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake tins with paper liners.
2
In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature unsalted butter and sugar until the mixture is smooth and pale. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
4
Gradually add in the anise extract and milk, mixing well.
5
Alternate adding the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring gently until combined.
6
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff but moist peaks. Carefully fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the cake batter to lighten it, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
7
Scoop the batter into the lined cupcake tins, filling each about ¾ full.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the Fluffy White Frosting. In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, combine the sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, salt, water, and corn syrup. Beat with an electric mixer for about 7 minutes, or until the mixture is glossy and has stiff peaks.
10
Once the frosting has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and beat in the vanilla and anise extracts until fully incorporated.
11
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost generously with the fluffy white frosting and decorate with your choice of licorice candies, such as Good and Plenty or nonpareil jellies.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
32g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Anise-Licorice Delight Cupcakes?
These are soft and fluffy cupcakes infused with rich anise flavor, topped with a cloud-like fluffy white frosting and adorned with licorice bits.
What inspired this specific cupcake recipe?
The recipe was inspired by the creator's dad's birthday cravings for licorice flavors.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted cake flour.
How much baking powder is required?
You will need 2 teaspoons of baking powder for the batter.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar?
Cream the room-temperature unsalted butter and sugar together for about 3-5 minutes until smooth and pale.
Should the milk be cold when added to the batter?
No, the recipe specifies using 1 cup of warmed milk.
How many egg whites are used in the cupcake batter?
The batter uses 3 large egg whites, which is approximately 1/2 cup.
How should the egg whites be prepared for the batter?
Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until they form stiff but moist peaks before folding them into the batter.
What is the correct way to fold in the egg whites?
Gently fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the batter first to lighten it, then fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated.
How full should the cupcake liners be filled?
Fill each cupcake tin about 3/4 full with the batter.
What is the baking time for these cupcakes?
The cupcakes should bake for approximately 20 minutes.
How do I know when the cupcakes are done?
They are finished when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How is the Fluffy White Frosting cooked?
The frosting is prepared in the top of a double boiler over simmering water while being beaten with an electric mixer.
How long do I beat the frosting over the heat?
Beat the frosting mixture for about 7 minutes or until it becomes glossy and reaches stiff peaks.
What ingredients are used to stabilize the frosting?
Cream of tartar and light corn syrup are used to help stabilize and achieve the glossy texture of the frosting.
When do I add the vanilla and anise extracts to the frosting?
Add the extracts once the frosting has reached its desired consistency and has been removed from the heat.
How much anise extract is in the frosting?
The frosting includes 1/2 teaspoon of anise extract.
What can I use to decorate the cupcakes?
You can use licorice candies like Good and Plenty or nonpareil jellies to decorate the tops.
Is it okay to frost the cupcakes while they are warm?
No, wait until the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting them.
What is the calorie count per cupcake?
Each cupcake contains approximately 194 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 6 grams of fat per cupcake.
How many carbohydrates are in a cupcake?
Each cupcake contains 32 grams of carbohydrates.
Does this recipe provide any protein?
Yes, there are 2 grams of protein per serving.
How many egg whites are needed for the frosting portion?
The frosting requires 2 large egg whites, approximately 1/3 cup.
What kind of sugar is best for the cupcake batter?
The recipe suggests 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, which can optionally be flavored with anise.
Why does the recipe use anise extract instead of licorice root?
Anise extract is used for convenience and accessibility while still providing the essential licorice flavor.
Is this recipe suitable for a birthday celebration?
Yes, it is specifically mentioned as a perfect treat for celebrations and birthdays.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
The recipe uses a total of 16 ingredients including both the cupcakes and frosting.
How do I prepare the cake flour?
The cake flour should be sifted together with the baking powder and salt before being added to the wet ingredients.