A Surprising Cupcake

Surprises.

They can be good, or bad.

Like this morning, when the forecast changed to predict even hotter temperatures tomorrow, it was a bad surprise.  Generally it’s a bad surprise when the weatherman or weatherwoman changes their mind.  (I still think the local weatherman, with all of his terrible meteorological predictions, is out to get me.  But that’s a story for another day.)

Surprise birthday parties, on the other hand, are usually good surprises!  Perhaps it’s not the case 100% of the time; such unexpected celebrations may spell disaster for those with weak bladders.  But for general purposes, surprise birthday parties are positive unpredictabilities.

These instances go to show how dependent surprises are on framing. 

If the weatherman frames the forecast to be fairly nice, and his computer model changes to suggest thunderstorms instead, the former alternative seems so much nicer in contrast. 

Similarly, if your friends frame your birthday as a forgotten afterthought, and then you’re shocked by a big party they secretly planned, the latter alternative has an elating effect.

So when I had high hopes for these baked goods and was unpleasantly surprised by a funky, disagreeable sample of the batter, my surprise was like that of the weatherman.  A foreboding feeling made itself at home in the pit of my stomach as I impatiently waited for them to bake.  It made me feel ill to think I had been so disastrously wrong about this epicurean experiment.  All those ingredients going to waste?  I mightily resisted the urge to dispose of them mid-bake.  Nothing but the tiniest glimmer of hope kept me going.

I reluctantly removed the baking tin as the timer beeped. 

Upon taking a bite of one, I was presented with a surprise so disparate from the one I’d experienced just 25 minutes earlier.  It’s amazing how that duration of 350-degree heat highlighted and infused the sweet and savory flavors.  The only thing that dampened my spirits was not having a bowl of chili to pair it with!

I’m 100% certain you will love this recipe – just don’t sample the batter.  If you actually do taste a sample, because you probably will since I’ve told you not to, do not fear!  Cleanse your palate with a glass of water, proceed to let your oven work its magic, and prepare to be surprised.

Savory Cheese Cupcakes   

Yield: 12 cupcakes

• 1-1/2 sticks (12 Tablespoons) light butter, softened
• 3/4 cup Stevia or sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1-3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces (about 3/4 cup) shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons skim milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, beat together butter, Stevia (or sugar), and eggs.
4. Gradually dump in flour mixture and mix, at low speed, just until incorporated.
5. Add in cheese and milk, mixing for about 30 seconds.
6. Scoop batter into greased or lined muffin tins.
7. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Tagged as: baked goods, cake, cheese, cupcakes, eggs, muffins, Side Dish