So my parents come for a quick holiday here on Friday(so I may be MIA for a little bit). My mom, who is technically challenged, always tries to be supportive of my “Internet food stuff” and what not. She asked me a question the other day that I did not know the answer to. She said, “how many people read your Internet food site?” A good question. If she had asked me before I made and posted about Snickerdoodle muffins I would have told her about 35. However, after making those muffins, I got over 30 emails from people I didn’t even recognize(as regular readers of my blog) telling me how much they loved those muffins and how great they turned out(*blush*). So that got me thinking…how many people do read my blog? So if you normally don’t comment, could you today, so I know you are out there. And well, if you usually comment, could you do it again…you know to make me feel good 
.
Enough about that. On to food. I have a super sick husband right now. The flu has knocked him upside the head, chewed him up and spit him out…it is not pretty by any means. He hasn’t really been hungry either. So I gave up making food for him and got selfish and made something for me. Wanting to use the last of my almond meal I decided to make cupcakes…almond ones(obviously). I also had the most gorgeous blood oranges that were begging to be used. How can I refuse begging oranges? And with that my Citrus Scented Almond Cupcakes with Blood Orange Icing were born.
There is not going to be much creating in this next week. With the family coming for Easter we will be out a lot. I say this now but knowing me, it will kill me not to have something up on the blog and I will break down and make something…I’m such a slave to this blog .
Citrus Scented Almond Cupcakes with Blood Orange Icing
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup plus 2 TBSP almond meal
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/3 cup plus 1 TBSP unsalted butter
½ cup superfine sugar
1 egg
zest of one blood orange
1/3 cup water
Preheat oven to 350F.
Sift together the flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In an electric mixer with paddle attachment cream together the butter and sugar, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides. Add the egg and mix for one minute. Add the zest and mix until incorporated. Add half of the flour mixture. Add the water. Add the remaining flour mixture. Mix until all is incorporated.
Grease a muffin tin, I used a standard one. Scoop batter into muffin tin(I used a ice cream scoop). I only got 6 cupcakes…which is just perfect for our 2 person family.
Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool before glazing.
Blood Orange Icing
This is not exact and will depend on your own personal taste.
3 TBSP unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
zest of one blood orange
1/3 cup blood orange(or any orange family member)
Beat together in an electric mixer with paddle attachment the butter, sugar, and zest. Add juice and mix. This is when I got bad and just kept adding orange juice until it was at the consistency I wanted. You want it to be a glaze more than a frosting.
Once the cupcakes are cool. Dip the top part of the cupcake into the glaze and set aside. Let the icing set up for about 5 minutes and dip them all again for a second coat.
I read it now and then! Because I think your photos and recipes are lovely
I love your site! I made your croissant bread pudding for 2 events and it was a smash hit both times
Thank you for posting your food adventures for all of us fellow food lovers!
No longer a lurker & I would have commented as soon as I saw these fantastic cupcakes. Citrus and almond seem very early springlike to me. Hope you have lots of fun with fam and that hubby feels better fast.
Hi Pea! Of course I read your blog, but I’ve been a big slacker and haven’t posted yet… #255 here I come (as long as no one else has posted in the last few minutes and stolen that honor from me).
I read it… not every day.. but I catch up at least once a week.
I check your blog about once a week, and LOVE it
Sometimes it is a while before I check it, but it’s such a joy to catch up!
Thanks for those wonderful recipes
boo!
Hi Peabody…I absolutely love your site. I read it and swoon over your photos almost daily. This week I’ve been busy baking Easter goodies and missed your post. But you have lots of fans out here who enjoy your work. Thanks for all you do!
I lurk occasionally too! Mostly for your photos and to get ideas on what I should beg you to cook for Book Club!
I’ve been watching your site for a few months. I love the photos! Even more, I enjoy reading about why you baked what you did and your experiences while baking.
While I don’t read daily, I check your site pretty often. I always enjoy your commentary.
Yeah #262! I check in from time to time, add me to your list!
Marie
I found your blog recently but have caught up quick. You’re a staple on my “Food Blogs” bookmark list now.
Lurker, from the Nest, reporting…
Love your blog – love the droolworthy pics and recipes. I read and check it regularly! keep up the good work.
Ali.
Another lurker here..I try to visit at least once a week!
Well, please another to your list of blog readers. I may not always check it every day, but I do check at least twice a week. Regards – Jeanne
Present.
(I owe you for the snickerdoodle muffins.)
I pop in from time to time. What’s the difference between the blood oranges and regular? (Although I have no idea how you’ll answer me)
I think I forgot to Say “Present”!
Yep.. I regularly visit to drool though I hardly cook!
I love your site. The photography is amazing and the food looks better then any I’ve ever seen!
i read and love your blog too!
I can’t tell you how much you inspire me. The photography is amazing-the food even better. I’m a want to be cook-but while I slowly start my catering business I have a boring office job- Your site, creativity and skills help me get through everyday. Thank you for making my world a sweeter place.
I love your blog-you write and photograph beautifully.I wish i had discovered it earlier….just came across your recipes last week…keep baking!
Hi! I just stumbled upon your site the other day after getting re-routed from some other new food blogs. BTW I love your blog and actually read some of the stories (I usually only look at the pictures and decide of I want to make the recipe)–Your old neighbors suck and my husband and I feel bad that you have had such bad luck with them! Anyway about the “Lurkers” there is this thing called google analytics where you can track the traffic on your site ie: how many people a day (and where they are from) how they got to your site (search engine, direct ect) I realize that this is like 2 years too late and maybe you have heard of this before but I thought I would pitch in!
I linked here from a pin and I love what I see.
These cupcakes look so amazing! I’m delighted with them! I’ve featured this recipes on my blog! I hope you don’t mind! If you don’t agree with that please contact me and I will remove it. All the best.
This is my first visit but it definitely won’t be my last. Will be trying this recipe. Now to see what else you have here.