Blackberry Bourbon Cupcakes

Directions

1. 1
   Original recipe can be found at: http://southernfatty.com/blackberry-bourbon-cupcakes
2. 2
   Preheat oven to 375 F.
3. 3
   Start by making the blackberry puree: Heat over medium heat in small saucepan- blackberries, 3/4 cup sugar and lemon juice and zest.
4. 4
   Heat until berries start to 'pop'.
5. 5
   Remove from heat and press through sieve/strainer to remove seeds. Cool.
6. 6
   Now, for the cupcake base. Sift together dry ingredients- flour, salt, baking powder. If you do not have cake flour, you can make it by replacing 1 tablespoon per cup of flour with cornstarch. Sift together several times to incorporate well.
7. 7
   Cream butter and sugar (1 and 1/3 C) in mixer for about 2 minutes, until fluffy and smooth.
8. 8
   Mix egg whites and milk in a (separate) bowl. Set aside.
9. 9
   While mixing slowly, add about 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the mixer with the creamed butter/sugar. Mix well.
10. 10
    Mix in eggs/milk slowly.
11. 11
    Add remainder of flour mixture and mix until combined.
12. 12
    Fold in about half of the blackberry puree. I prefer to leave it mixed lightly, keeping a marbled appearance.
13. 13
    Fill cupcake liners/pan about halfway and bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
14. 14
    Remove and allow to cool completely.
15. 15
    Combine flour and milk in small saucepan over medium heat.
16. 16
    Stir until thick paste-like consistency. You should see the bottom of the pan remain when stirring when this is finished cooking. This is your baker's roux.
17. 17
    Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Stir periodically to prevent a film from forming and to speed up the cooling process.
18. 18
    Cream butter and sugar. I prefer vanilla sugar for this (See http://www.SouthernFATTY.com/vanilla-sugar/ to make your own!) for about 2 minutes, until fluffy and smooth.
19. 19
    Add flour mixture and mix at medium/medium-high speed until combined well, about 5 minutes.
20. 20
    Mix in vanilla extract and bean pulp and bourbon until combined,
21. 21
    Assemble cupcake and enjoy!
22. 22
    Let us know how they were! Also, visit us at SouthernFATTY.com for more!