I love open markets. I love the small random things you find there without having to even go looking for them. Like mulberries. To be honest, this was the first time I've seen them. I had to get them just to try.. They were dried and I'm sure this wasn't the best way to have your first one. I found they were amazing sweet and light in flavour and had to make them into a cupcake. I went safe with the frosting just because I wasn't sure what would compliment the berry... I would definitely make these again.  I'm now excited with the idea of what I could make with fresh ones. <3

Mulberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes approx 12 regular

For the cupcakes:

1 cup flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

6 Tbs. Butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup mulberry coulis

For the mulberry coulis (makes 1/2 cup):

85g/3 oz. mulberries ( I had dried ones)

1 tbsn. sugar

1/8 tsp. vanilla

1/8 cup water( add a few extra tablespoons if using dried mulberries)

Cream cheese frosting:

215g/ 8 oz. Cream cheese (softened)

1/4 cup or 1/2 stick unsalted butter,( softened)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

To make the blackberry coulis, combine everything in a medium pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.

Preheat oven to 170C/350 F. Line your cupcake tin with liners, In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and mix again, remembering to scrape down the sides of the bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla and blackberry coulis. Add half of the dry ingredients into the mixer bowl on low speed until just combined. Pour in the coulis-milk mixture and mix. Then mix in the remaining dry ingredients until just incorporated. Divide the batter among the cupcake tin and bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. (warning: I did find these shrunk a tad bit)

To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Turn the mixer on low and add the powdered sugar, vanilla . Add more powdered sugar if needed until you get the right consistency. Beat on high until light and fluffy and everything is well incorporated. Frost the cupcakes when cooled completely.

Recipe this is adapted from can be found here