What's the best cupcake recipe in the world?

[stripeyknickersspottysocks]

I've tried a fre recipes from the Hummingbird book and they're nice but not as good as the cakes from the actual shop.

Wondering if there are any better recipes?

watching with interest

Agree but think they are better than Nigella's.

I guess I'l like them to be firm with really nice icing.

I do use Stork in the sponge mix. I think I may have the Good Housekeeping book, will have to have a hunt for it. Thanks.

What about icing, I haven't worked the courage up to trying Philidelphia icing as it seems so wrong but might try that.

i like nigella's as they're light and also freeze well

This is for "Cupcakes" - the ingredients are quite different to fairy cakes but they make really lovely cakes with flat tops ready for the frosting. Makes 12.

120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1.5 tspn baking powder
45g butter at room temp
120ml whole milk
1 large egg
1/4 tspn vanilla

Put flour, sugar, baking powder, pinch of salt and butter in bowl and, using a mixer, mix on low speed until you have sandy consistency. Add half the milk and mix.

Whisk the egg, vanilla & remaining milk for few secs then add to flour/butter mixture and mix till combined.

Divide between 12 cupcake cases and bake at 180/160fan/gas4 for 20-25 mins.

Vanilla Frosting

250g icing sugar
80g butter at room temp
25ml whole milk
couple drops vanilla
any colouring wanted

Beat icing sugar and butter on medium speed until it comes together. Turn mixer down slow and add milk & vanilla & any colouring and keep mixing until it is all light and fluffy.

I just fork the frosting on as I go for the rustic look but you could pipe it

I recently made cupcakes PrettyFeckinVacant's recipe after finding it on another thread - and they were a big hit!

Magnolia bakery cupcakes are THE best in my experience. Not a million miles from PFV's recipe but if you're into baking I would highly recommend the book.

My favourite cupcake recipe:

Butter
Sugar
Flour
Egg.

Open bin, insert ingredients, get out cheeseboard.

You won't regret it.

ROFL.

Will have to try some of these.

I use a cupcake recipe that's similar to a fairy cake one I made as a kid that my Mum must have got from a very old cookbook. I tend to go for icing that's essentially truffles spread over the top. Sure my cupcakes are very bad for you but if you'd like the recipe they're on my blog:

recipesfromanormalmum.blogspot.com/2010/06/quick-and-easy-cupcakes-with-truffle.html

I totally love the Hummingbird Bakery Red Velvet cupcake recipe, amazing, I don't know if you tried that one? Do it with the cream cheese icing and it's great!

great thread thanks op!

will be trying out PFV's recipe next time I make them also tempted by Magnolia ones

lol @ cheeseboard - don't think DC would be very impressed with some smelly Brie for their birthdays

Am just really put off by all that food colouring in the Red Velvet cupcakes. the plain Hummingbird cup cakes are lovely, though.

The Magnolia cupcakes are the best IMHO! It is the buttermilk that gives them the most amazing texture.

Hurrah, finally not just me who does not 'get' red velvet cake. Why all that colour?

Have you tried the Primrose Bakery Cupcake? I have eaten them from the cafe in Convent Garden and they are lush! They have a recipe book.

'Proper' red velvet cake gets its colour from beetroot.

I don't use any butter or marg, I use sunflower oil.