Cupcake Masterclass anyone??

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

I have bought the October issue of Sainsbury's Magazine and there is a fab article on making cupcakes and lots of different flavoured frostings - the pictures are lovely - shall have to try them out now, just in time for the Macmillan Coffee Morning next week

[NoahDear]

i want to knwo how to make the ones that are super spongey
please

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

The photos of the ones in the magazine look like that - shall try and report back!

[bellavita]

Stirling - I saw that mag too, but daren't buy it... have just bought two new cake designing books with cupcakes in. This house looks like it is being taken over buy cook books, cake books, good food/delicious/olive mags!

I did however make some cupcakes to take to a do of DH's and they went down a storm - took forever though to bloody ice and do the roses and other shapes out of flowerpaste etc, but worth it in the end.

[bellavita]

buy? by

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

I know what you mean Bella, I really need to have a sort out with food magazines - I think I am addicted to buying them!

Glad your cupcakes went down well - I have a different recipe to the Sainsbury's one and whenever I do them I get lots of compliments

[castille]

I have a v simple cupcake recipe, they turn out nicely fluffy.

Never faff about with icing though, I just lob some choc chips in and dust with icing sugar and voila.

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

Aaah, but are they cupcakes or are they fairy cakes - Cupcakes are bigger!

[bellavita]

I thought cupcakes were meant to be iced and decorated?

[castille]

yes they are supposed to be all pretty but I doubt visiting children, or my own, particularly notice or care whether they are painstakingly iced or not, they just see cake

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

Yes, I agree Bella, cupcakes should be fancy like the ones on Sainsbury's Magazine cover.

[seeker]

Don't forget the edible glitter. No cupcake is complete without it.

[cupcakelady]

I put two tbsp of vanilla angel delight powder in with a plain vic sponge recipe and an extra 50ml of milk. got it off an american website and it makes them super soft and moist.

[bellavita]

I am making this cake for my mum's birthday with some cupcakes to match for her neighbours who have been especially good to my parents after my dad's accident (he broke his pelvis in 4 places and is still pretty immobile). I will be using white chocolate and vanilla frosting along with the red decoraions.

Seeker - ooooh edible glitter - have got all that. Have just spent a fortune over the last few weeks buying stuff.

In fact DH said to me - what are those silver cases for in the utility....

[NoahDear]

castille
dish it
i dont want fairy cakes - i want the spongey vaguely fake tasting ones

[JeMeSouviens]

oh yes, how do you get them lovely and fluffy. Is it in the beating and whipping, or is it the type of flour, and sifting or all of it?

I've just invested in a load of crap essential items to decorate cupcakes, but am NOT crafty at all, so if it all looks a bit crap amateurish, I'd still be on a winner if the cupcake was lovely and airy and light.

[CaptainScarlet]

Come on castille... we all want to know!

[SpawnChorus]

Use v soft butter (Lurpak spreadable is actually even better IMO).

Beat it HARD with the sugar.

Eggs mixed in relatively gently.

Flour sifted in and folded.

Taylor and Colledge Vanilla Bean Paste is excellent and somehow seems to improve texture.

Coffee cupcakes seem to have a better texture if you use instant coffee diluted in hot water (rather than coffee essence). They seem to last better too...no idea why.

[SpawnChorus]

Oh yes, eggs should be at room temp.

[cleaningsucks]

My handy hint is that how the mixture sits in the cases is important. It absolutely must not be smeared all over the side, as this inhibits rising. And if you want 'low' cakes, then obviously put less in, but also flatten the mixture (like a vic sponge) - for high, 'mounded' cakes, then use more mixture, and give it a slight peak.

Another good idea is to scoop out the middle and put in some jam, or choc sauce or chantilly cream and a raspberry - and then ice on top.

[Ewe]

I have been volunteered to make cupcakes on Saturday - never made them before.

Does anyone have an easy recipe that I can't balls up for both cakes and icing? I need to make about 10-12, ugh.

What do you even cook them in/on?!

[JeMeSouviens]

oooh, good tips there, thankyou! I'm salivating already.

[bramblebooks]

I made the sainos ones at the weekend - delicious! Also did a few from the m&s cupcake book. Particularly liked the ones with jam in the middle and meringue at the top

[StirlingIsFedUpOfTheRain]

Shall post this recipe again - The cupcakes are lovely and they have flat tops!!

Cupcakes

120g Plain Flour
140g caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
45g unsalted butter at room temp
120ml whole milk
1 large egg (free range obviously)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Put flour, sugar, baking powder, butter and pinch salt in bowl and, using hand held electric mixer on slow, mix till it looks like sand. Gradually pour in half the milk and mix.
In another bowl whisk egg, vanilla and the rest of the milk, then pour into creamed mixture and beat until incorporated ans smooth.
Divide between 12 cupcake cases and bake for 20-25 mins at 180/160 fan/gas4.

Vanilla Frosting

250g icing sugar
80g butter at room temp
25ml whole milk
couple of drops of vanilla extract

Beat icing sugar and butter till it comes together. Turn mixer down to low and mix together the milk and vanilla in another bowl, then add to creamed mixture. Continue beating till light and fluffy.

[bellavita]

Or you could make lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting - dead easy. Just add the zest to the cupcake mixture. With the frosting add zest and lemon juice instead of vanilla.

Or, you could add some melted white chocolate to the frosting like I did.

[Ewe]

Fab, thank you Stirling, sounds like just the recipe I need!