
Since we were not planning on frosting them, we added a scattering of mini chocolate chips on top of the cupcakes before we placed then in the oven. When we bit into them, we found the chocolate flavor was fairly pronounced, but it had a lingering subtle butterscotch flavor before we even got to the center. Some of the pudding and toffee melted into the dark cupcake, keeping them quite moist, however you are left with a little hidden pool of the two when you reach the center. I was hoping for a little more of the pudding to be visible, but I didn't mind that much as the butterscotch hint it added to the crumb of the chocolate cupcakes turned into a nice combination.

While you wait on some whole wheat noodles to cook, a peanut-y sauce with a tang is made in a food processor by pureeing natural peanut butter, soy sauce, vegetable broth, rice vinegar, fresh lime juice, a touch of brown sugar, minced ginger root, one scallion and a sprinkling of crushed red pepper. A few minutes before the pasta is done, broccoli florets along with snow and sugar snap peas are steamed just until they are crisp-tender. The noodles and vibrant veggies are tossed with the creamy peanut sauce and the dish is finished with a scattering of crunchy toasted peanuts. The fresh lime juice added a tempting bright flavor to the sauce that was not distracting as I thought it might be - the majority of the flavor was the nuttiness from the natural peanut butter. Very good while warm, I'm excited to have this for lunch tomorrow as cold peanut noodles are so tasty!

Interesting those cupcakes with toffee bits. I have to try that noodle dish, it looks really quick to make on a weekend day. I have to tell you that now my son is popular with the treats that I make (thanks to your recipes) and without asking me he started to sell them. Can you imagine. The kids want those treats. Keep the good recipes coming.
ReplyDeleteThose cupcakes look terrific! Probably the most beautiful ones I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the recipe, because I'm seriously considering making these.
Mmmm butterscotch surprise in the middle - genius! Looks delicious at first sight too.
ReplyDeleteHelene - LOL! A kid has got to do what a kid has to do I guess! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteEmiline and Hillary - Thank you!