Earl Grey cupcakes recipe

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These cupcakes are a surprising change from the ordinary. The addition of Earl Grey tea creates a dessert with delicious depth of flavor.

EARL GREY CUPCAKES

• 1/2 cups all purpose flour 
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• scant tablespoon Earl Grey tea 
• 1 1/4 cups sugar 
• 6 tablespoons softened butter 
• 3 egg whites 
• 1 teaspoon orange zest 
• 1/4 teaspoon orange extract 
• 1 cup buttermilk 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray or line with paper liners. Set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a spice grinder, finely grind tea and add it to the flour. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed. Add egg whites one at a time, beat well after each addition. Add zest and extract and beat until mixture is smooth. Slowly add in flour and buttermilk, in 2 additions each. Beat until smooth. Pour 1/3 cup of batter into each liner. Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden. Cool completely before frosting with this orange cream cheese frosting.