GREEN TEA AND LEMON CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In 1-cup glass measuring cup, measure boiling water; add tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes. Squeeze liquid from tea bags into measuring cup. If necessary, add additional water to make 3/4 cup. Let tea stand until room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups, grease bottoms and sides of muffin cups with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 2 tablespoons lemon peel and 1 teaspoon vanilla. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and 2/3 cup brewed tea, about half at a time, beating just until blended. (Reserve remaining tea for frosting.)
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 2 teaspoons lemon peel and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth. Beat in 1 to 2 teaspoons of the reserved tea, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
• Pipe or spread about 2 tablespoons frosting on top of each cupcake. Just before serving, place fortune cookie on edge of frosting on each cupcake to resemble tea cup handle. Garnish with lemon peel. Store covered in refrigerator.