SAVORY ITALIAN CUPCAKES WITH GOAT CHEESE FROSTING

Savory Italian Cupcakes with Goat Cheese Frosting image

Provided by Joni Hilton

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 16

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2 c flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp dried, crushed rosemary
1 Tbsp dried basil
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c milk
1/4 c bottled pesto sauce
1/4 c cold butter, chopped
1 large egg
1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
2 c chopped, cooked sausage
1 c sliced olives
1/2 c chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 c crumbled goat cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp dried basil
2 Tbsp cream

Steps:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with liners. Mix the first five ingredients (flour through baking powder) in a bowl. With electric mixer, combine with 1/4 cup butter to form coarse crumbs. Stir in mozzarella cheese, sausage, olives, and tomatoes.
2. 2. In a small bowl, combine milk, pesto, and egg, then add to crumb mixture all at once. Stir quickly with a fork to moisten. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.
3. 3. Make the "frosting." Let the goat cheese crumbles come to room temperature. In a bowl, mix the goat cheese, basil, and cream until smooth consistency, adding more cream if too thick. Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes and top with a slice of sausage, tomato, or a basil sprig, if desired.