Rhubarb Cupcakes {MSC}


The South lacks for two things:  Lilacs in the spring and rhubarb in the summer.  When I realized that August meant Rhubarb Cupcakes over at Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club, I knew that (for once) I would bake them ahead of schedule.  I would bake them while in was in the Land of Rhubarb-a-Plenty:  The great state of Minnesota.  Perhaps I was just delirious with the thought of 10,000 lakes, cool crisp nights and perfect 80 degree days, but I thought these cupcakes were seriously delicious and represented to me a perfect celebration of summer.  




The batter was fairly basic and didn't require too many bowls - a big plus in my book!


Here's the addition of the beautiful rhubarb - the perfect tart counterpoint to the sweet cupcake batter.


Ahhh.... the simple vanilla bean.  So much complexity in such an unsightly pod.


Scrape out the seeds and watch the magic unfold.
Vanilla extract could simply not compare to these beautiful flecks of culinary gold.


This Rhubarb sauce makes the cupcake:  
a sweet simple syrup infused with the tartness of rhubarb and delicious vanilla flecks.  
The trick is to cook the rhubarb long enough to soften it, but not so long that it turns to mush!


After baking these, my son, Samuel effervesced with accolades and selected all things rhubarb for his birthday! Tart rhubarb in a sweet cupcake topped with a sweet vanilla-rhubarb sauce.  What could be better?

You can find this delicious recipe over at The PhDCupcaker. Thanks to Lorraine for this month's pick!  

UP NEXT:  September 15 - Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes.


THIS POST IS PROUDLY LINKED TO MONDAYS: MOUTHWATERING MONDAYS, MADE BY YOU MONDAY,MINGLE MONDAY , HOME SAVVY A TO Z, TUESDAYS: TUESDAYS AND THE TABLE, TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY, TASTY TUESDAY, IT’S A BLOG PARTY, DELICIOUS DISHES, TIP JUNKIE ,GET YOUR CRAFT ON, WEDNESDAYS: SHOW AND TELL, WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY, THIS CHICK COOKS, LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN, GINGER SNAP CRAFTS  THURSDAYS:  IT’S A KEEPER THURSDAYS, STRUT YOUR STUFF, FULL PLATE THURSDAYS THRILLING THURSDAY, CHIC & CRAFTY PARTY, RECIPES TO RUN ON. THRIFTY THURSDAYS  FRIDAYS: I’M LOVING IT, FOODIE FRIDAY, GROCERY CART CHALLENGE, FOOD ON FRIDAYS, FRIDAY POT LUCK,, WALNUT AVENUE: FOODIE FRIDAY, TATERTOTS AND JELLO,  SWEET TOOTH FRIDAY,  FRIDAY FAVORITES,  FAT CAMP FRIDAY, LA BELLA VITA, FRIDAY FOOD , FUSION FRIDAYS SATURDAYS:SWEETS FOR A SATURDAY SIX SISTERS STUFF SUNDAYS: NIFTY THRIFTY SUNDAY, AWELL SEASONED LIFE



Comments

PhDcupcaker said…
Rachel - The first word that comes to mind is WOW! Your photos are beautiful and your cupcakes look amazing. The rhubarb looks so delicious. I got mine from someone's garden, but it is not as vibrant as yours (still tasty though and that is what matters most). Like your son, I too am now a big rhubarb fan! Thanks for baking along!
August 15, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Jennifer said…
I came across your blog on Skip to my Lou! I'm a new follower!

I'm hosting a link party..."Fusion Fridays" {Open All Weekend!}
http://janedeereblog.blogspot.com

I would love it if you would come by Friday and link up!
August 15, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Julie said…
Your cupcakes a lovely. The color of your rhubarb is amazing! I really enjoyed this recipe.
August 15, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Anonymous said…
This looks AMAZING! I would LOVE it if you shared this recipe with us at Cast Party Wednesday tomorrow!

Thanks,
I hope to see you there!
August 17, 2011 at 1:14 AM
rebecca @ beurrista said…
I am so sorry I didn't bake along- I had about 1/2 cup of rhubarb and then life got too busy... so I just threw out the veggies...

Your photos make me feel like I really missed a good one! Glad Samuel liked them.
August 17, 2011 at 4:00 AM
extreme personal measures said…
They look delish! I have never worked with rhubarb.

Stop by and link up at http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/2011/08/whats-your-favorite-cookbook.html

for What’s Cooking Wednesday!
August 17, 2011 at 6:47 AM
Sara said…
My grandpa always grew rhubarb! He died in 1995 and I haven't had fresh rhubarb since! I am in Alabama and we have tried several years to grow it in our garden and it is just too hot :( Thanks for sharing!
August 17, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Miz Helen said…
Hi Rachel,
Your photo's are always just awesome. I just love rhubarb and can almost taste these wonderful cupcakes. Hope you have a great week end and thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come back soon,
Miz Helen
August 20, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Kim McCallie said…
Living in Georgia, we don't eat much rhubarb here. I've never tasted it. But, this looks like the perfect way to try it. The cupcakes look beautiful! Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.
August 21, 2011 at 1:54 PM
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