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Nu sunt o mare fana a martipanului, desi imi plac migdalele foarte mult. Insa aveam prin frigider un pachet de martipan luat acum ceva timp si m-am gandit ca ar fi cazul sa-l transform in ceva delicios. Si asa au aparut cupcakes-urile astea moi, pufoase si absolut delicioase.

Ingrediente:
Cupcakes:

• 200g unt la temperatura camerei
• 200g martipan
• 150g zahar
• 1 lingurita extract de vanilie
• 5 oua
• 140g faina
• 50g amidon
• 1 lingurita praf de copt
• 50g ciocolata neagra, tocata marunt
• 1 praf de sare

Glazura:

1. 2 pere coapte, curatate de coaja si taiate cuburi
2. 2 linguri zahar brun
3. 2 linguri unt
4. 1/2 cana suc de portocale
5. 1 praf de scortisoara
6. 500ml frisca lichida, batuta cu 1 lingurita de vanilie si 2 linguri zahar pudra

Mod de preparare:

1. Se mixeaza untul cu martipanul, apoi se adauga zaharul si se continua mixarea pana compozitia devine cremoasa. Se adauga vanilia si ouale, unul cate unul.
2. Se incorporeaza faina cernuta cu amidonul, sarea si praful de copt. La final se adauga ciocolata si se incorporeaza usor.
3. Se transfera aluatul in formele de muffins tapetate cu hartii de muffins.
4. Se coc la 180C pentru 20-25 minute pana devin aurii si parfumate. Se lasa la racit in tava.
5. Pentru topping, se topeste zaharul intr-o tigaie groasa. Se adauga untul, apoi perele. Se toarna sucul de portocale si se fierb perele 5-10 minute pana sosul devine gros si perele sunt putin moi. Se ia de pe foc si se lasa la racit.
6. Pentru a finisa, decorati cu un mot de frisca si o lingura de pere in sos.

I’m not a huge fan of marzipan, although I do like almonds. So since I had a package of marzipan in the fridge for quite some time, I decided that maybe it’s time to transform it into something delicious and this is how these cupcakes were born. I chose pears because for me they are the best paired with almond and I wanted a mild flavor so that the marzipan can shine through. The chocolate bits have one purpose only: to enhance all the flavors with their their bitterness.

Ingredients:
Cupcakes:

• 200g butter, room temperature
• 200g marzipan
• 150g sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 eggs
• 140g flour
• 50g cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 50g dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 pinch salt

Topping:

• 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 pinch cinnamon powder
• 500ml heavy cream, whipped with 1 teaspoon vanilla and powdered sugar to taste

Directions:
To make the cupcakes, mix the butter with the marzipan until creamy. Add the sugar and keep mixing until well combined and smooth. Stir in the vanilla, then the eggs, one by one and mix well after each addition.

In a different bowl, sift the flour with the cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Incorporate this mixture into the eggs and butter and mix until smooth. Fold in the dark chocolate then spoon the batter into your muffin cups, lined with muffin papers. Bake in the preheated oven at 350F for 20-30 minutes or until golden  brown, well risen and fragrant. When done, set them aside to cool down.

To make the toppings, melt the sugar in a skillet. Add the butter then stir in the pears. Pour in the orange juice and cook on low heat for a few minutes until part of the liquid evaporates and the sauce it thick, while the pears are tender, but not mushy. Remove the skillet from heat, add the cinnamon and let the topping cool down completely before use.

To finish the cupcakes, top them with a dollop of cream, then a tablespoon of caramelized pears.