Wednesday, May 12, 2010

"Holy Moly Guacamole" Avocado Cupcakes


 I can't seem to leave well enough alone. There was another avocado beckoning me. I had to do it. I had to make a sweet treat out of it. The trouble was, I was running out of time....deadlines were looming. Aaack---the pressure! I reached for a cake mix.....

All the while I was thinking and dreaming about Avocados from Mexico, I couldn't help but notice how really adaptable this tasty, green fruit is. Sweet, savory---it really didn't matter----the avocado seems to compliment many flavors. I was especially interested in trying out some citrus flavors with it. How apropos, then, that the cake mix in my hand was lemon flavored. Since avocados have the good fat, I omitted the oil from the recipe and thought to replace the water with some tangy buttermilk. Then, to top things off, a good dose of orange cream cheese icing. Oh. My. Goodness. Easy and delish. And cute, too! Just have a look see:

"Holy Moly Guacamole" Avocado Cupcakes

Printable Recipe

Cupcakes:

1 ripe avocado, peeled and seeded
¾ cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 box (18.25 oz) lemon flavored cake mix

Orange Cream Cheese Icing:

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
3-4 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with liners.






Combine the avocado and the buttermilk in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until mixture is nearly smooth. Add the eggs and the cake mix and continue to beat for an additional 2 minutes. Spoon batter into 24 cupcake liners; bake for 18-20 minutes or until the tops spring back when touched. Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.




For the icing, combine the butter, cream cheese, orange peel and vanilla in a medium sized bowl. With a hand mixer, beat until smooth. Add the orange juice, blending well. Stir the powdered sugar into the mixture and then beat until smooth, adding additional sugar until desired consistency is reached. If icing becomes too thick, add more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.







Seriously good. Seriously easy to make. Do it.








14 comments:

  1. I looooovveeeeeee avocados, but have never thought of incorporating them into cupcakes! They look so delicious and moist!

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  2. I totally luv avocados, never even thought to put them in cake! Nice, very nice. or should I say, "SA-WEEEEEET" ;)

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  3. another neat idea.. did you know that famous dave's corn muffins use white cake mix? wonder how cornmeal and avocados would work...and a little jalapeno?

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  4. how cute is that!! and they're even green :). Ive never had a sweet avocado dish...but what a great idea to match it up with citrus! Good luck!! :)

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  5. Oh I dunno- they look a little too green for my liking...something for halloween maybe...?

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  6. Thank you all for the comments. :) I brought them to work...and didn't tell 'em what the secret ingredient was. They were gone in minutes..haha. They probably thought it was a lime cupcake...the taste is citrusy, but I can see where the green color might turn someone off. Good for St. Patrick's day, as well as Halloween...

    Laura--I'll bet they would be good as a corn muffin--not so dry as some (so that's why I like the Famous Dave's version, lol).

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  7. Hello Cathy...I just may store these in file for my next St. Patrick's Top 10 recipes. Very original and sneaky ingredient. I just may try them and not tell Hubby about what's really in them ;o)
    Flavourful wishes, Claudia

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  8. Cathy, thanks for following my travels. It's good to be home and to be able to check in with you. Who would have thought that avacados would work in cupcakes? You're so creative!

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  9. What a super idea!
    And I am going to try these. Seriously.

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  10. awesome color! silly me for ever thinking that avocados were limited to a garnish for mexican and tex-mex entrees and guacamole. :)

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  11. How wonderful ! love your blog !

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  12. I don't think I've ever had avocados in anything resembling cake or dessert. But what a brilliant idea!

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  13. I just found your recipe and love it! We are a family farm in California, raising avocados! We also ship our avocados all over the USA in gift boxes and monthly subscriptions. I will share your recipe with our Facebook Fans...thank you!

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