The smooth, creamy texture and sweet taste of white chocolate make it an ingredient that is commonly used to enhance cupcakes. White chocolate chips can be added to the cupcake batter or melted and combined with other ingredients, such as cream cheese, to make filling or icing. Some flavors that complement white chocolate include vanilla, raspberry, strawberry and lemon. These are sometimes incorporated into recipes for white chocolate cupcakes, creating a dessert that is complex and flavorful.
Vanilla cupcakes most often serve as the base for frosting that is infused with white chocolate. The cake batter can be white or yellow and typically is flavored with vanilla extract. Some recipes call for milk or dark chocolate cupcakes, which can enhance the flavor of white chocolate, although the visual appearance is not always as desirable as the white-on-white look. Small white chocolate chips or chunks can be added to the cake batter, either melted down or left intact. White chocolate can be melted in a double boiler or through several 15-second sessions in a microwave set at 80 percent power.
Although white chocolate might not always be used to create the cake portion of white chocolate cupcakes, white chocolate chips usually are melted into the filling or icing that is used to flavor the cupcakes. The melted chocolate is mixed with ingredients such as cream cheese, sugar, butter, vanilla and milk to create a basic icing. Additional flavorings such as lemon juice, berry preserves or flavored extracts can be used for increased complexity. The icing usually is spread on top of the cupcakes after they have baked and cooled. Sometimes, a white chocolate filling can be inserted into the cupcakes using a pastry bag.
Many bakers add garnish to white chocolate cupcakes after allowing them to cool and frosting them. Ingredients that can be used for garnish include fresh raspberries, strawberry slices, white chocolate chips or small lemon twists. Other baking staples such as sprinkles and whipped cream can add extra flavor to the cupcakes. Piping bags can be used to give the icing and garnish a polished, intricate appearance.
White chocolate cupcakes can be served as a dessert or snack. Many bakers use decorated white chocolate cupcakes to celebrate holidays and events. The color of the white chocolate is appropriate for winter holiday parties. White chocolate cupcakes are often used in Valentine's Day celebrations when combined with red ingredients such as strawberries. Cupcakes that are made with white chocolate and lemon are a light dessert that is ideal for summer.