Ingredients:
espresso - 2/3 cup, or very strong coffee (2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2/3 cup boiling water
honey - 3/4 cup
canola oil - 1/2 cup (or vegetable oil)
sugar - 1/3 cup
light brown sugar - 1/3 cup
eggs - 2
all purpose flour - 2 cups
ground cloves - 1/2 tsp
ground cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
ground ginger - 1/2 tsp
baking powder - 1 tsp
baking soda - 1 tsp
Seven Minute Frosting
sugar - 1 cup
warm water - 1/4 cup
egg whites - 2 large, at room temperature 30 minutes
light corn syrup - 2 tsp
vanilla extract - 1 tsp
salt – dash
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place paper liners in 20 cups of a muffins tin.
In a large bowl, whisk together the coffee and honey. Add the oil, sugar, brown sugar, and eggs and whisk well. Add the flour, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, and baking soda and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, or mix well be hand.
Scoop up a scant 1/4 cup of the batter into each lined cup and pour into the pan. Bake for 22 - 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
To prepare the frosting: Pour a few inches of water into the bottom of a double boiler or a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Off heat, place the sugar and warm water in the top of the double boiler or in a metal other heatproof bowl that can sit on top of the saucepan without falling in. Whisk to dissolve the sugar. Add the egg whites, corn syrup, vanilla and salt and stir to combine. Place over the gently boiling water and beat with an electric mixer on high speed for a full 7 minutes. If the water starts to bubble too much, turn the heat down. Remove from heat.
To ice the cupcakes, you can use a knife or small metal offset spatula, or place icing into a pastry bag with a round or other decorative tip and squeeze out swirls or other designs. If desired, use a blow torch to toast the icing. Store covered at room temperature for up to four days
Shana Tova !
Yours, Nitza Gilad