Earl Grey Infused Cupcakes with Creamcheese-Lemon Frosting

Sad times.

It's probably not the best idea to start a post with these two words, but due to recent events in England I feel obliged to do so.

When I first heard the news about a father shot by the police in Tottenham I was totally absorbed with working on a project report for university, hence not really in "caring mode". For the moment I just filed it under "Sad Things That Happen" and basically left it there for two days, not really caring about what was going on in the world. That is what happens pressed for time.

It took me another couple of days to really realise what was going on and let me just say: It hit me rather hard.

Maybe it was because I lived in London for best part of last autumn.

St. Paul's Cathedral. My very favourite sight in London.

I started to catch up with everything that happened, reading every article I could find from all sources possible and still, I just cannot comprehend what is going on. I feel like there is a gap between a father of four yet alleged drugdealer being shot and the aftermath. One event - as terrible it might have been yet rather 'small' in relation - caused a whole city (and beyond) to riot. 

So, what IS the reason? Who knows, mate.

Racial tension? Maybe. I find it interesting how articles are rather tip-toeing around that issue. Sadly, it's there. Unemployement? Political cuts? Also likely. I honestly still cannot make up my mind and I don't think I am alone with that. It's a sociological, racial and political timebomb fueled by anger, sadness and frustration.

There surely was a reason, and while I don't approve the execution, it cerainly was justified. Any actual cause has vanished because of 'criminal opportunists', though.  All that looting. I hope you ***** enjoy your new XBoxes.

Keeping in mind that not all of London or England is that way, today's Britain-inspired recipe is a cupcake with a sophisticated twist: Earl Grey tea. The texture really is lovely; nice, moist and spongey with the tea rather accentuating than overpowering the flavour.

Earl Grey Infused Cupcakes
Makes 12.

• 200ml cream (6.7 fl. oz)
• 190g sugar (1 cup)
• 260g all-purpose flour (2 cups)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 2 shots of milk
• 4 teabags of Earl Grey tea

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Line muffin pan.
2. In a small pot, bring cream to simmer. Turn off heat immediately and add teabags. Let them steep for ten minutes, squeezing them well afterwards so there is not too much cream coming to waste. Set aside for a moment to let it cool off a little.
3. Pour all ingedients in a medium bowl, adding the tea-infused cream at last. Mix everything together either with a hand mixer or food processor, making sure not to overbeat the batter. It should only take a few seconds.
4. Pour batter into cupcake lines. I sprinkled some with sugar, but found it not to be the best idea as those did not rise evenly,
5. Bake on centre rack for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

See that white crust? That was sprinkled sugar.

Creamcheese-Lemon Frosting
Depending on how much frosting you want to put on your cupcakes, you might want to double the recipe.
 

• 120g cream cheese (1/2 cup)
• 120g powdered sugar (2/3 cup)
• 120g butter (1/2 cup), softened
• Zest of one lemon

1. In medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together into a homogeneous mass.
2. Frost completely cooled off cupcakes after your fancy.

This time, I also sprinkled the cupcakes with some blue tainted sugar.



Enjoy! And remember what a beautiful country England is with problems like every other.