Cupcakes indeed are the next best creation since sliced bread, as the saying goes. Encased in that perfect sized deliciousness, it exposes the lucky culinary explorer to a plethora of choices, sometimes sweet, sometimes savory, but never a disappointment, we finish our cupcake culinary adventure with another delectable favourite. Passion fruit is the epitome of tropical fruits, one whiff of it's sweetness makes me feel like I'm on a tropical holiday. Thus this simple cupcake with its fruity center accentuated by the cream cheese frosting is indeed a tropical paradise. These sensual cupcakes will take all your worries away.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Bottle of passion fruit curd or jam
4 ounces of butter softened
4 ounces of cream cheese
2 cups of powdered suagr
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan. Combine flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture in two parts, alternating with 1/2 cup milk.

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pan 5 minutes.

Using a knife, cut a 1-inch-deep piece from the top of each cupcake . Fill each hole with 1 teaspoon jam and replace cutout pieces.

To frost cupakes,beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract. Frost the cupcakes and dive in!

By Mayuri Jayasinghe