Iron Cupcake Earth - Basil Challenge

Iron Cupcake Earth's latest contest? Basil cupcakes. Sounds naughty enough to us! See below for documentation on just how "bad" we can be with the Poison Ivy cupcake - our answer to this month's Iron Cupcake challenge.

This cake recipe does not require baking soda or baking powder. The result is a decadently dense, moist cake!

Cake Batter:

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 package of pistachio instant pudding mix
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted but cooled
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup finely minced basil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine flour, sugar, pudding mix, melted butter,oil, milk,basil,eggs and vanilla.Blend only until everything is combined. Pour batter into muffin tins. Bake 15-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Blackberry Sauce:

• 2/3 c. butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. mixed berry juice
• 2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries

Combine butter and cornstarch in saucepan. Add sugar, juice, and blackberries. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thick. Drizzle over cooled cupcakes.

White Chocolate Cream Sauce:
Melt white chocolate chips over medium heat until fully melted. Drizzle over cooled cupcakes.