i own you bitches

i've scoured high and low for a recipe that will let me make something akin to aki's guava cake in cupcake form using the guava paste procured from the local mexican market. NO LUCK.

mind, i found recipes. but uhhh ... i don't have 8 eggs to separate. and i don't have energy to make meringue, and i'm definitely not going back out there to hunt guava pulp and guava juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted. so ... back to making my own recipes, round 2!

verdict: i think they're okay. they're kinda gritty, because the guava paste i used has guava bits and grits in it. for the life of me, cannot figure out how aki makes it so pink, unless they're using food coloring. no matter what i do, strawberries and guavas turn all brown when they bake, even though i DID add food coloring. the texture is good. hideyo and missionaryfriendken said they were quite guava-y. i'm eh-eh about the frosting. i'm afraid a whipped cream frosting would be too light and won't draw out the guava flavor, but the cream cheese frosting is always so sweet, even though i make it runny and reduce the powdered sugar by half. gag me. i dunno. anyway ... i think they would pass muster in dean's store. i'll have to check with him, but the real test will be to see if they make j and b's eyes pop. on the other hand, they're such frosting junkies that it probably won't matter. :)

guava cupcakes
makes 12

1 stick of butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1/2 c guava paste, whipped
1 stick of butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1/2 c guava paste, whipped
1/3 c milk
1 1/3 c flour, sifted
2/3-3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 salt
1-2 drops red food coloring (optional)

preheat oven to 350F.

1. sift dry ingredients together. set aside.
2. mix butter until fluffy, then add sugar. beat until creamy.
3. add eggs one at a time, beating until well blended. scrape bowl if necessary.
4. add guava paste, blend well.
5. alternatingly add dry ingredients and milk until just blended. add food coloring (optional).
6. spoon cupcake cups about 2/3 full and bake for 20-22 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. you know.
7. let cool in cups for ten minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

guava cream cheese frosting
8 oz pkg of cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, softened
1/3 c guava paste (probably whipped is better)
2-4 c powdered sugar

1. mix cream cheese and butter until well blended.
2. add guava paste and mix well.
3. add enough powdered sugar for the frosting consistency you want. 2 c = runny but holds, 4 c = stiff, but hella sweet.