Being born and raised in Connecticut, I grew up a Boston Red Sox fan.  Around here, you like the Sox or the Yankees.  There aren’t too many “others” around…. although my son is quirky and actually likes BOTH of them! Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, generally, New Englanders route for the Sox.  They are our boys, our boys of summer, and we love them.  We decided to try these Red Sox cupcakes for my son’s birthday party.  

Boston Red Sox Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients:

1 1/2  cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 C sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 C buttermilk

Cupcake Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcakes tins with paper liners.
-Whisk flour, baking powder,salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl.
-In another bowl, beat butter on medium-high for 30 seconds.
-Add sugar and vanilla to the butter, beat until combined.
-Add egg whites and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one is added.
-Alternate the flour and buttermilk mixture, beating on low speed until everything is mixed together.
-Scoop the batter into the lined cupcake tins until they are 2/3 rds filled.
-Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
-Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
-Remove from cupcake tray and place on wire racks allowing to cool completely.

Frosting

Frosting Ingredients:

1 C soft unsalted butter
4 + C powder sugar
4 TBSP heavy whipping cream
Red & blue gel food coloring

Frosting Directions:

-Cream the butter and powder sugar until it looks light and creamy.
-If it doesn’t cream add several drops of the heavy whipping cream until it creams.
-Test to see if the frosting can form and hold a stiff peak by taking a spoonful of frosting and turning the spoon upside down. If the frosting stays on the spoon it is ready if not then….
– Add more powder sugar 1/2 C at a time…. mix well.
-Test to make sure that the frosting can make and hold a stiff peak.
-Divide the frosting into two bowls. Add several drops of red gel food coloring mixing well.
-In the second bowl add several drops of blue gel food coloring mixing well.
-If ready scoop the red colored  frosting into a pastry bag on the side of the bag with a large tip.
-Add the blue gel food colored frosting on top of the red frosting into the same pastry bag.
-Twist the open end of the pastry bag to push the frosting to the  tip to see if both the red and blue frosting comes out at the same time.
-Start by frosting on the outside edge of the cupcake working to the center of the cupcake.

Royal Icing

Icing Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 C powder sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Red & blue gel food coloring

Icing Directions:

-Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring)
-If icing is  not stiff enough add 1/4 C powder sugar.
– Spoon the icing into a bowl.
-Add several drops of  gel food coloring in the large bowl of icing … stir well to mix the color.

Boston Red Sox Logo:

-Locate a picture of the Boston Red Sox Logo on Google. Print the picture in color. Tape this picture with small numerous images of it on it to a cookie sheet.
-Tape wax paper (covering the copies of  the logo ) to the cookie sheet . Follow the color and features as printed on the paper.
-Using a small pastry bag fill with the blue royal icing and a #2 tip.  Start by outlining the logo first. Allow the blue outline to dry for 30 seconds then outline again in red. Allow the red outline to dry for an additional 30 seconds.  Fill in the “B” with the red  icing.
-Allow to dry for 5-10 hours.
-Ensure that the image is  dry, gently touch one of logos  with your finger if it allows you to push in on the icing allow it to dry more. If  the image is dry then it will have a hard feeling not allowing you to push in on it.
-Cut the wax paper holding the completed image  into squares surrounding the completed design.
-If the image is dry, peel the wax paper away from the back of the logo then place it on the frosted cupcake.