Corny Cranberry Cupcakes

Ingredients
Cupcakes:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
6 Tbps. heavy cream at room temperature
1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen
6 Tbsp. sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/4 cup refined coconut oil. soft but not melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 laarge eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean paste or exract

Buttercream Frosting:
1/4 cup cranberry sauce
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean paste or extract
2 Tbsp. heavy cream

Filling and Toppings
About 2/3 cup thick cranberry sauce (if it's super runny, drain off some of the juices)
Sliced fresh cranberries, for decorating
Fresh rosemary springs, for decorating

Instructions
For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with 15 lines, spacing them out evenly between the two pans.

Sift together the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl, then lightly stir in the salt and set aside. Combine the heavy cream and 1/2 cup corn in a food processor and puree until smooth, being careful not to over-blend so the cream doesn't turn into butter. Add the sour cream blend just to combine, then set aside.

Cream together the butter, coconut oil, and granulated sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, on medium-high speed, scraping down the sides occasionally with a rubber spatula to make sure everything is incorporated evenly, until  light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.Add the vanilla. Reduce the mixer to medium-low and add the dry mixture and corn puree mixture in 3 alternating additions, then fold in the remaining 1/2 cup corn kernels with a rubber spatula. Using an ice cream scoop, distribute the batter evely among the cupcake liners.

Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the pans and continue to bake until the cupcakes are thinking about starting to turn brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs on it, 6 to 10 minutes more. If the cupcakes need more time, continue to bake and theck them frequently (like every 30 to 45 seconds). Let them cool in the pans for 10 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the buttercream: if desired, Press the cranberry sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to get rid of the cranberry skins, which will yield a smoother buttercream. This step is not necessary, though. Beat together the cranberry sauce, butter, and cream cheese in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla and continue beating until combined. Beat in the heavy cream. Transfer to a piping bag.

To assemble: Us an apple corer to extract the centers of the cupcakes. Transfer th thick cranberry sauce to a piping bag, or resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Then pipe it into the centers of the cupcakes. Pipe a blob of frosting onto the cupcakes and decorate with sliced cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

Makes 15 cupcakes. These are best enjoyed with a day or two.

via Molly Yeh