Lychee Cupcakes with Raspberry Frosting

Lychees are not an everyday produce pick but are worth hunting down. Fragrant and delicately flavored like exotic flowers and subtly grassy herbs, pureed lychees give these cupcakes a distinctive, inimitable taste. Capped with a swirl of soft raspberry frosting, the tart berry twang enhances the flavors locked within each tender, moist crumb.

Fresh lychees are always best. You can find them proliferating in Asian markets around late spring and through summer, but if you still have n