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It’s definitely time for cupcakes. After all, spring has sprung. What better time to get our pastel frosting action on?
Well, I think spring has sprung. The D.C. area has a habit of swinging back and forth like a crazed toddler on a playground with temps, but I’m hoping we’ll stabilize soon. Until we do, I plan to hide in the house with cupcakes.
These are, according to a picky person I work with, the best thing I’ve ever baked. The cupcake batter is made with Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale and topped with a blackberry frosting. They’re pretty darn special.
All year long, I wait for fruit to finally become available. It seems patently unfair to me that some parts of the world have amazing fruit on a yearlong basis while we have to endure the winter.
But then I think about my grandmother. When she was a girl in Russia, they barely had any fresh fruit, ever. One day someone gave her an apple, which was a rare treat. Her siblings (she had five of them) ate their apples right away, but she saved hers for later. And saved it. And saved it.
You can probably guess what happened. The apple rotted, and my poor grandmother never got her treat. When I think about that story and then consider how absolutely spoiled I am (I mean, I can’t go a day without sugar), I realize I have nothing to complain about.
There’s no doubt that the spring brings forth increased desire for refreshing treats, and these cupcakes are the epitome of that. The Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale is made with real ginger, and I also have some ground ginger in the cupcake batter. The goal is to create a subtle undertone of ginger to complement the stronger blackberry flavor, and it worked out great.
As the official birthday coordinator in my office, it’s my job to bring in treats for everyone’s special day. When these cupcakes came into the office, nobody could resist eating them. There’s just something so festive about a blackberry ginger cupcake in the spring!
I also brought in some of the Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale 2-liters so that everyone could taste the soda, and all that bubbly made everyone even happier. But since the soda is only available seasonally through mid-May, they’ll have to get it quickly!
These can be made with pretty much the ingredients you already have, plus the Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale. For the frosting, make sure the jam you buy is seedless. You don’t want seedy frosting!
Remember to pick up a bottle of Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale for some fun spring cupcake action this season. Your cupcakes will be the life of the party, guaranteed!
Ingredients
Instructions
I love riddles. Really, they’re fun!
What do you do with a drunken sailor early in the morning? Um…I’ll get back to you.
Why do men only eat one bite of dessert and leave the rest? Because they’re from another planet. I think there’s a book about that.
Why don’t I sound like Idina Menzel when I sing Let it Go? Because I was never married to Taye Diggs.
What do you do with leftover cheesecake batter? Make these!
Who knew that cheesecake could be made in a loaf pan? I never even realized that was an option.
That is, until I read the narrative baking book Saved by Cake by Marian Keyes. If you’re not familiar with her work, she’s an Irish chick lit author. Her books are funny, honest, and have some fantastically complex characters. I’ve been a huge fan for quite a while.
So when she wrote a baking book a few years back, I couldn’t wait to buy it. This cheesecake loaf is an adaptation of one of the recipes in her book. I’ve changed it, but it’s the same idea. Sorry, Marian. I reserve the right to tinker. That’s what baking is all about!
Mash-ups are just awesome. Wouldn’t you agree?
Well, unless you’re mashing up two things that are great separately and gross together, like steak and whipped cream. No, thank you. But when the mash-up combines the best of both worlds, mama is happy.
What could be better than a raspberry crumb bar, you wonder? How about a raspberry crumb bar with cheesecake filling? Do I have your attention now?
Spring is definitely a perfect time for cupcakes! That frosting is just gorgeous. And I love the use of ginger ale in here, so creative! Definitely needed for a Tuesday!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Strawberry Nutella Overnight Oats {And A New Design!}
Thanks, Gayle. The ginger ale makes the batter lighter and springier!
Mir, oh the story of your grandmother and her apple! 🙁 and I hear you on waiting for berries .. frozen berries are the only way I can get through winter! I absolutely love the fact that you added Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale into the cake batter! I’m guessing it’s similar to using coke but better!!! I love these cupcakes!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Leek Potato and Fennel Soup
I know. I was so sad for my poor grandmother, who basically spent her life working for others and not getting many treats herself. I feel so spoiled in comparison. I mean, all she wanted was an apple. It makes me want to cry.
I’ve not heard of this soda…yum! I love the flavor combination! And man would I love a big bite of that cupcake! I think I’ll be thinking about your grandmother all day…
annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Roasted Parmesan Asparagus with Italian Herb Crispy Fried Eggs
It’s very tasty, especially in a cupcake!
Those cupcakes look gorgeous!! And gingerale in cupcakes? Oh yum!! That’s unique 🙂
It’s like using champagne, except minus the alcohol. I recommend!
Aw I love that story about your grandmother. I’ve always had the same tendency to save things until I miss my opportunity (or grow out of whatever I’m saving). It’s so true we have a lot to be thankful for! These cupcakes look amazing!
I used to save things more, and now I’m all about taking the chances while we have them!
Oh Mir – the best thing you have ever baked? That is saying a LOT!! Loved the story about your grandmother – they keep teaching us things, don’t they? xo
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Mustard Tuna Salad
Well, that’s what they said. I’d prefer a Reese’s based dessert myself!
Oh, you are talking my language with these cupcakes, Mir! I love blackberries. The first thing we did when we moved into our house is plant some blackberry bushes along the back fence. Now I want these cupcakes…and it’s only 7:30am.
But can we talk about that seedy frosting? There’s nothing worse than a frosting that hangs out in back alleys with its seedier friend Strawberry Frosting. Or even worse Raspberry. That trio always gets into trouble! 🙂
David @ Spiced recently posted…Southwestern Chicken Taco Bake
I’ve had some pretty seedy frosting in my day, David…that kind that separates is just GROSS. 🙂
The weather here has been flip flopping as well, but it seems like it might stay warm now. Guess we will see. In the mean time I WILL be eating all the blackberry ginger cupcakes humanly possible! These look beyond delicious, Mir! LOVE that you used Blackberry Ginger Ale in the batter! SO clever! Plus your blackberry frosting looks like the stuff dreams are made of! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…One Skillet Cumin-Lime Chicken and Rice with Avocado-Pineapple Salsa {& A Giveaway}
I hate the flip flopping weather making everyone super sick!!
All the ginger flavor you have going on in these cupcakes sounds rocking! I can’t get enough ginger when spring rolls around. I have a mug of gingery tea constantly beside me. These are just so cute. They definitely look like spring in a little package.
Amanda recently posted…Quick Tomato Sauce
Oooh, I love gingery tea. Makes all of life better!
I feel so spoiled after hearing your grandmother’s story about the apple. It makes me totally ashamed about letting fruit spoil and throwing it away. I love these cupcakes though! I’m all about some pink icing in the spring. I love your combination of ginger and blackberries! I’ve never heard of that soda, so I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for it!
Me too, Rachelle. We have it pretty good, ya know?
Blackberry ginger ale? WHOA. So yum- these cupcakes are pretty 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Lighter Grapefruit Yogurt Cake
Yep. Pretty life changing!
These cupcakes look so beautiful – how do you get your frosting so perfect? Will you please come frost my cupcakes? (client)
I’d be happy to, Summer! Just send me a piping bag and some frosting!
Stories like your grandmother’s really makes one think about how much they take for granted, eh? These cupcakes are gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. And the flavors sound absolutely divine together!
We really do take so much for granted, Aria. I need to remember that!
Mir, I’m loving EVERYTHING about these cupcakes!! Raspberry is one of my favorite fruits to bake with. I wish you could share one with me. 😀
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Texas Sheet Cake
I meant to say Blackberry! :-p
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Texas Sheet Cake
Ha, I figured. I do that a lot too!
Thanks!
It’s always time for cupcakes isn’t it? I usually just go for chocolate cupcakes, but I really need to expand my cupcake horizons.
The combo of blackberry and ginger sounds SO good.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Salmon Burger with a Creamy Lime and Basil Sauce by Dannii
Chocolate cupcakes are lovely, don’t get me wrong. But yeah…these are cool!
Very nice swirls!
Yummy!
Thank you, dear. Get off the computer. Love, Mommy.
I’m one of those ones that has fruit all year and we totally take it for granted how fresh and good it is! That frosting looks so good, my dad would love it!
That’s why I’m very jealous of your climate, Dorothy!
These cupcakes sound amazing! Love the blackberry ginger combination!!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Lemon Cream Cheese Scones with Strawberries
Thanks, Jen! It was a cool combo!
Mir these cupcakes look yummyand I LOVE the unique flavors!! The best part -> these look so moist, I wish I had a few nearby!!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks recently posted…Peri Peri Chicken Quesadilla Pizza
Thanks, Ami! They were so great. I miss them!