Recipe courtesy of Andrea Parks

Borscht Cupcakes, Apple Pie Filling, Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and Cheddar Cheese Pie Crust Moon

  • Level: Advanced
  • Yield: 24 cupcakes
  • Total: 3 hr 50 min (includes chilling time)
  • Active: 2 hr 10 min
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

Cheddar Cheese Pie Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 ounces cold butter, cut into pieces

1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar

2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

Cinnamon-sugar, for dusting

Cupcakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

4 carrots (about 8 ounces), peeled and grated

3 large beets (about 1 pound), peeled and grated

12 ounces oil

2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

3 ounces sour cream, at room temperature

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Zest of 2 lemons

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

12 ounces cream cheese

8 ounces butter

1 1/2 pounds powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Apple Pie Filling:

2 apples, cored, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. For the cheddar cheese pie crust: In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt until well combined. Add the butter and cheese and pulse until small pea-size balls form. Gradually add the ice water, up to 3 tablespoons. Remove the dough from the food processor bowl, fold the dough, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. 
  2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Dust the work space with flour. Roll out the pie dough and cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter. Place the shapes on a baking sheet, brush with water, dust with cinnamon-sugar and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  3. For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with 24 muffin liners. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well combined. In the bowl of an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, add the carrots, beets, oil and granulated sugar and whisk on medium for 1 minute until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream, lemon juice and lemon zest and mix for about a minute until well combined. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture just until combined. Then remove from the mixer and scrape by hand. Fill the prepared muffin pans three-quarters full with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 24 minutes.
  4. For the frosting: Whip the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment until fully incorporated. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until combined. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Finally, add the cinnamon and mix until fully incorporated. 
  5. For the apple filling: In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the apples, sugar and 1/8 cup water. Bring to a boil and stir until the water has evaporated and the apples are soft. Add the cinnamon and refrigerate until cool.
  6. To assemble: Use a knife to make a hole out of the center of the cupcakes. Fill with apple pie filling, and then frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Top with a Cheddar cheese shape.

Fudge Factor

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.