Cupcakes for Japan!! 日本のカップケーキ！

Ok so I'm not Japanese, but Google Translator helped me figure out how to say "Cupcakes for Japan"...

These were packaged carefully for Queens to Manhattan
transport!

Today I baked for an event called Rise Again: The Concert for Japan Earthquake Relief. There's going to be a bake sale of some sort (I admit I don't know all the details), but the main event consists of performances by various singers, dancers, and taiko drummers!


In honor of Japan, I made a vanilla cupcake with red bean filling and green tea frosting: all the best flavors packed into one delicious cupcake! Here's the recipe (the first one I made all by myself!)

Behold how carefully packaged these babies are!

Vanilla Cupcake with Red Bean Filling and Green Tea Frosting (makes ~36 mini cupcakes):

• 1 stick unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1 cup milk (any kind is fine; I used organic whole milk)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2.25 cups self-rising flour (if you use all-purpose, add 1 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large egg whites (room temp)
• 1 can of red bean paste (available in most Asian supermarkets, especially the Korean ones)
• Frosting: 2 sticks unsalted butter, 1 package 8 oz. cream cheese, matcha green tea powder, powdered sugar.

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your cupcake pan.
2. Beat the butter until fluffy (3-5 minutes). You'll have an easier time if your butter's room temp.
3. Add milk and vanilla. Beat again.
4. Add flour. Beat again. Don't add flour all at once, or else it'll go flying out of the bowl.
5. Alternate adding the egg whites and sugar, beating until everything is mixed.
6. Bake for 15 minutes. If they're not ready by then, bake for 2 minutes at a time until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Take 'em out and let 'em cool.
8. While they're cooling, make your frosting: Mix together the butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar and matcha green tea powder to taste. Easy! 
9. Now back to the cupcakes: using a sharp knife, cut out chunks in the center so you have little craters for your filling. 
10. Open the can of sweetened red bean paste and spoon some red bean into the craters. Easy!
11. Put green tea frosting on top to cover up the red bean filling.

Another way to donate to Japan: Buy this awesome "Pray for Japan" t-shirt! These are being sold at my school but you can also get them online here.