Cupcake of the Week: Parmesan & Chive Cupcakes || Week 8

I'm not going to lie when I say that I was slowly running out of time this week to create something special...

After a late night of drinks, I got home at 11pm last night, exhausted, but ready to bake.  Really, the perfect mindset to think up something crazy.  Looking through my pantry and fridge, I pulled together a silly little collection of savory flavors that surprisingly worked out really well together.

Perhaps not for everyone, these little treats would go work well as a side dish to a ham or turkey feast, pulling out a lot of complex flavors that compliment smoky meats.  Or, if you're into the cupcake & alcohol pairings, this would be nice with a Rauchbier (which is a German beer that has a very distinctive smoke flavor which is developed by using a malted barley that's been dried over an open flame.).

Parmesan & Chive Cupcakes
(Yield 6)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
2 tablespoons diced chives

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl sift together your flour, baking powder, salt & sugar. Slowly add in your milk, egg & vegetable oil, until it's mixed well. Add in the parmesan & chives. In your pre-greased cupcake pan, fill up each cup & bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Roasted Garlic & Bacon Frosting
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 head of roasted garlic*
2 strips of bacon - cooked, drained & crumbled
1 tbsp diced chives
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper to taste

Roasted Garlic is perhaps one of the easiest, yet most delicious thing to make.  First, take your head of garlic and slice about a third off the top.  You want to see the tops of the garlic cloves, but want to leave the head in tact so it has a nice shell to cook in.  Place your garlic head on a piece of tinfoil, generously coat it with olive oil, making sure that the oil drips down into the head of garlic, and salt & pepper the top.  Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the garlic cloves are nice and soft, and your kitchen is filled with a sweet & savory aroma.  Peel out your garlic cloves, mash them a little and set aside.

In a bowl, mix together all of your ingredients into a nice "frosting" of sorts.  Dollop a nice spoonful on your cupcakes and garnish with some fried onions, and a few sticks of chives.  Enjoy!