Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Lemon Cupcakes with Blackberry Sorbet


I can't believe today is my 20th wedding anniversary; how could that be?  I'm lucky I have lots of kids around me still; they keep me young at heart.  My daughter and I were out window shopping last weekend when we waltzed past the gourmet kitchen store where she spotted a purple ice cream maker, mom we need that she insisted.  I tried to summon all my will power and say no, but home "Barney" the purple ice cream maker came with us.

Ice cream and myself have a love-hate relationship.  I try to keep it away from myself because I lose all self-control around it.  So I decided how about a nice fresh fruit sorbet with the ripe blackberries I had just picked up.  Before you knew it she had me roped into making lemon cupcakes with her, like I said no self-control. That's when the thought occurred to me why not make the sorbet the icing for cupcake, although I do love butter cream blobs.

If you do break down and buy one of these ice cream makers, sorbet can be made in just a few minutes.

Blackberry Sorbet
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Pinch table salt
4 cups fresh blackberries or frozen, thawed

I threw the inside of the ice cream maker in the freezer.  It has to freeze overnight.  Combine sugar and water in a small pan and heat on medium until all the sugar is melted.  Set aside.

Pass blackberries through a sieve and collect puree.  I like to put mine in a food processor first; it makes them easier to pass through the sieve (which is just a fine strainer).  Combine the blackberry puree and simple syrup and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.

The maker only took 20 minutes to make the sorbet.  Then I placed it in the freezer to make it a little firmer.


For the cupcakes I used this recipe I found on Food Network, texture was good, but I will pump up the lemon a little more next time.  


What are you waiting for; run down and get your own ice cream maker. 

I'm off to dinner with my husband and I still have some of this sorbet sitting in the freezing, just waiting for me to return.

Sweet Dreams,

Gina

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37 comments:

  1. A multi-dimensional lifeApril 13, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Oh, these look wonderful! Your photo's are gorgeous...makes me crave them!

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  2. A little bit of everythingApril 13, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Happy Anniversary and May your marriage be Blessed with love, joy And companionship For all the years of your lives!

    the blackberry sorbet sounds refreshing, perfect with those adorable cupcakes. Thanks for sharing

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  3. Christine's PantryApril 13, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Congratulations! I have no self control when it comes to ice cream. Good job!

    Christine

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  4. The Harried CookApril 13, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. The Harried CookApril 13, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Wow, Gina! What a gorgeous looking sorbet... I absolutely adore the color... makes me want to dive right into the tub :) and blackberry & lemon is a really good combination, isn't it?

    Thanks for sharing the recipe! And I agree with you - Chef Dennis is really a blessing to so many bloggers out there!

    Happy Anniversary to you & your husband... God bless!

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  6. KathApril 13, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    That is one gorgeous dessert, Gina! I can only imagine how great the blackberry sorbet and the lemon cupcakes taste together.

    Happy Anniversary!!

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  7. BoApril 13, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Happy anniversary! I actually really like the idea of the sorbet with a cupcake...instead of icing...it's almost healthy...a fat free icing.

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  8. FOODESSAApril 14, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    I would have been tempted with the color purple on its own, however, no more place on the counter for equipment or any other gadget. Great excuse to stop spending ;o) Anyhow, I successfully can make your sorbet in my food processor...phew ;o)

    Gina, that deep sorbet looks stunningly perfect for a lemon cuppy ;)

    Happy 20th and many more.
    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  9. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Wow, happy 20th anniversary! Loving the blackberry sorbet on top of those yummy cupcakes!

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  10. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Good Morning Gina,
    Wow, what a marvelous combination; lemon and blackberry, sweet and tart and tangy and intense! Your sorbet is a must try for this weekend!
    Gina, your photos are fantastic!
    Take care,
    kc

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  11. Chef Dennis LittleyApril 14, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    Happy Anniversary Gina!!

    You really treated us to a wonderful creation with those lovely cupcakes, but that sorbet...OMG, just give me the container and a spoon, oh heck forget the spoon, I'm goin' in!!!
    thanks for the, mention you are so good to me!

    Here's wishing you many many more years of happiness together, have a great anniversary!
    Dennis

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  12. BeckyApril 14, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Happy 20th Anniversary, and many more. Lemon cupcakes with blackberry sorbet is a wonderful way to celebrate the occasion.

    We have an ice cream maker like yours, but we keep it in the basement, because it is so dangerous. Home made ice cream is so good, but I have no control either.

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  13. RitaApril 14, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    HAppy Anniversay! Those cupcakes looks wonderful. Thank you for helping me with Feedburner, I appreciate you tookk the time.
    Rita

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  14. ann lowApril 14, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Happy Anniversary!
    The Lemon cupcakes with sorbet look awesome!

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  15. GinaApril 14, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Thank you everyone for your beautiful wishes, it was a lovely day. Bo I love your thought process.

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  16. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Congratulations on 20 years of marriage and I wish you and your husband many more to come! Thank you for signing up to follow my blog. I now follow yours too, and I look forward to reading your wonderful posts!

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  17. A multi-dimensional lifeApril 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Gina, I hope you and hour husband had a beautiful anniversary and a great dinner out!
    May you be blessed with many more happy years together!

    Thanks for your encouraging comments on my post! I love your writing also and your recipes are mouth watering!

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  18. Jocie's MomApril 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    The big 2-0! That's wonderful! Congrats! Hope you get some lovely pressies.

    This sorbet looks outstanding. Well done!

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  19. Mary BergfeldApril 14, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Gina, these look wonderful. I am new to your blog and have just spent some time working my way through your earlier entries. I really like the food and recipes you feature here and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  20. Savoring ItalyApril 14, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Happy Anniversary to you! I hope you had a special evening together:) I love Dorie's book! Did you think of joining French Friday's with Dorie? It gives me an incentive to try the recipes and I don't participate every week. Your sorbet looks amazing!!

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  21. SandraApril 14, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Happy Anniversary, and I wish you many many more..these cupcakes look fantastic, and pictures are so beautiful and clear!!!
    I hope you will have wonderful weekend!

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  22. Biren @ Roti n RiceApril 14, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Happy 20th Anniversary and wishing you many, many more! Great idea to combine the cupcake with sorbet. It looks awesome!

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  23. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Happy Anniversary! This dessert looks like a perfect celebratory treat :) I love the combination of citrus and berries...and blackberries are one of my favorites!

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  24. Angie's RecipesApril 15, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Congratulations!
    You have me at "blackberry sorbets"! Those look to die for!

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  25. Susi's Kochen und BackenApril 15, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Happy Anniversary! This sorbet is stunning. Love the color and pairing it with lemon cupcakes makes it the perfect spring dessert.
    BTW I would have not been able to pass up the cool purple ice cream maker myself. Coolest color ever :o)

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  26. Meg (The Red Spoon)April 15, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Your recipe for blackberry sorbet looks so simple yet absolutely delicious. I'm currently borrowing (without promise of return) my mother-in-law's ice cream maker. I will definitely need to make this before returning it! BTW, I am the same way when it comes to anything ice cream related -- no self control whatsoever! (And Happy Anniversary too!)

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  27. DebbieApril 15, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Happy Anniversary! I love topping cupcakes with ice cream/sorbet it is such a great combination of flavors :-)

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  28. TastemonialsApril 15, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Happy Anniversary, Gina! The sorbet looks divine. I can't wait until it's fresh blackberry season.

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  29. Nicole@HeatOvenTo350April 15, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Congrats on your anniversary! Your sorbet looks amazing.

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  30. BrandieApril 15, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Yay! Happy Anniversary!! Congrats to you two crazy kids!! :)
    Now this is pretty darn original! And I'm loving your new friend Barney! :)

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  31. Nancy April 15, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Happy (belated) Anniversary Gina!!! Congrats and cheers to many, many more. I love your idea of putting sorbet on top of cupcakes, yummy -yummy! Once it gets warm here I want to try your combo. I hope you had a great celebration.

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  32. Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet April 15, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Happy Anniversary! One of my favorite gadgets is the ice cream maker - you will enjoy it for a lifetime. The ice cream you made sounds supreme and I just wish I could grab a spoon and take a bite from the computer screen. Enjoy your weekend!!

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  33. UnknownApril 15, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Happy 20th anniversary, definitely a milestone and a substantial number;-)
    Your photo of the lemon cupcake with the blackberry sorbet on top is stunning and a great idea in place of the beloved blob of butter laden icing we both love, lol;-)
    Have a great weekend and just enjoy that ice cream maker!

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  34. Magic of SpiceApril 16, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Happy Belated Anniversary to you both...wow 20 years! And happy new ice cream maker, your sorbet looks wonderful :)

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  35. Liz That Skinny Chick Can BakeApril 16, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Oh, my gosh, your sorbet looks incredible. I really, really must try it! So lovely...

    Happy Anniversary!

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  36. RoxanApril 16, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Yum! What a great idea to serve cupcakes topped with sorbet.

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  37. UnknownApril 17, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Happy anniversary to you and your husband, Gina! You must've married him when you were 5, that's all I can say.. (yes, you do look young, and btw, is 5 a legal age? It's totally NOT!). You know, I just bought my ice cream maker too, and I have a some frozen blueberries, so I'm going to make this sorbet soon.

    Btw, why don't you join us in the French Fridays with Dorie weekly cooking event? This Friday, we're doing Mustard Batons (pg. 15), it will be a great start for you to use the book you won!

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