Pumpkin and Spice

It's that time again! This month's Iron Cupcake challenge was basil. It was a little tricky, I'll be honest. I don't usually think of basil as a cake ingredient. I like it in desserts, but I usually use it in a sorbet or sauce. (Blueberry basil sauce is like heaven on lemon sorbet!)

After some thought, I decided to use the flavors of basil and lemon. To me, basil is a light, summery herb, and lemon is like sunshine in fruit form! Of course, with such light flavors, I thought the cake should be equally light, so I did an angelfood cupcake!

The flavor is light and bright, the cake is soft and spongy. It would be perfect for a snack on a lazy summer afternoon with a glass of iced tea.

Lemon Basil Angelfood Cupcakes
Makes about 15 cupcakes

• 1/2c basil leaves
• 1T sugar
• 1t lemon zest
• 1t lemon extract
• 3/4c confectioners sugar
• 1/2c cake flour
• 6 egg whites
• 1/2c sugar
• pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375F. In the food processor, pulse the basil, the first quantity sugar, lemon zest and extract until the basil is fine. Scrape out into a small bowl. Set aside.
Sift together the flour and confectioner's sugar. Set aside.
In a clean bowl, whip the egg whites and salt until foamy. Sprinkle in sugar, and whip until stiff peaks form. Dust 1/3 the flour on the eggs and gently fold in. Repeat with another 1/3, and then the last 1/3.
Spoon a small bit of batter into the bowl with the basil mixture. Mix to lighten the basil, then fold the mixture into the batter.

Portion into ungreased, unlined cupcake pans. Bake for 15-18 min, until cupcakes are golden and spring back when touched. Cool upside down. Remove from pans and set on wire racks to glaze.

For the Lemon Basil Glaze~

• 1/2c basil
• 2T melted butter
• 2c confectioners sugar
• juice of one lemon
• water, as needed
• 1-2 drops green food coloring

In the food processor, pulse all ingredients (except water) until they combine into a glaze. If too thick, add water to thin. It will look a little like pesto. Drizzle cupcakes with glaze, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar, if desired.

Voting will begin soon! I'll post a link as soon as it starts!