Jam-Filled Almond Cupcakes

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  • 18

Ingredients

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 3 cups almond flour or meal
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup fig (or your favorite) jam
  • Toasted sliced almonds (for serving)

Preparation

Step 1

Preparation

Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 325°. Lightly coat edges of cups and tops of 3 standard 6-cup muffin pans with nonstick spray and line with paper liners. Sift almond flour through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard any large pieces. Whisk in baking powder and ¼ tsp. salt.

Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk eggs and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low and whisk in almond-flour mixture and 2 tsp. vanilla until smooth, about 1 minute. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake cupcakes, rotating pans top to bottom halfway through, until a tester inserted into the centers comes out clean, 15–20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool.

Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with motor running, add powdered sugar in 2 additions, beating until fully incorporated after each, about 2 minutes. Add cream, almond extract, remaining 2 tsp. vanilla, and remaining ¼ tsp. salt and beat until light and creamy, about 1 minute.

Using an apple corer, punch out about 1" from the top of each cupcake to form a hole in the center; discard core (kidding—eat it!). Fill hole with a heaping teaspoonful of jam.

Spread frosting over cupcakes and top each with a small handful of almonds.

Do Ahead: Filled and frosted cupcakes can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 325°. Lightly coat edges of cups and tops of 3 standard 6-cup muffin pans with nonstick spray and line with paper liners. Sift almond flour through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard any large pieces. Whisk in baking powder and ¼ tsp. salt.

Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk eggs and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low and whisk in almond-flour mixture and 2 tsp. vanilla until smooth, about 1 minute. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake cupcakes, rotating pans top to bottom halfway through, until a tester inserted into the centers comes out clean, 15–20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool.

Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and, with motor running, add powdered sugar in 2 additions, beating until fully incorporated after each, about 2 minutes. Add cream, almond extract, remaining 2 tsp. vanilla, and remaining ¼ tsp. salt and beat until light and creamy, about 1 minute.

Using an apple corer, punch out about 1" from the top of each cupcake to form a hole in the center; discard core (kidding—eat it!). Fill hole with a heaping teaspoonful of jam.

Spread frosting over cupcakes and top each with a small handful of almonds.

Do Ahead: Filled and frosted cupcakes can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.