My mission for next week is to learn how to make fantastic cupcakes with buttercream icing

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

That look like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=1.bp.blogspot.com/_19hYoOxSXoo/TG42Vk-6ZQI/AAAAAAAAAEY/zmDhb_twXYk/s1600/homemade-chocolate-cupcakes.jpg&imgrefurl=nix-myblondelife.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html&usg=__R-r4F_c337i_O1wNRUgC7vtqL3w=&h=435&w=425&sz=42&hl=en&start=0&sig2=td5W5uTk9OfGwsgDlXhQSA&zoom=1&tbnid=fDp8pBYmP14o5M:&tbnh=163&tbnw=181&ei=eAuiTduQCsOY8QPn7uSnAw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhomemade%2Bcupcakes%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D653%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=361&vpy=256&dur=1031&hovh=227&hovw=222&tx=195&ty=116&oei=eAuiTduQCsOY8QPn7uSnAw&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these

I need foolproof recipies people! My fairy cakes are shit!!

TIA

Watching with vested interest. I need to whip up some for DD2s birthday next weekend and mine are always a little underwhelming.

Hummingbird bakery cookbook. They are all fab. The secret, btw, is to use about 6 times more butter and sugar than is reasonable.

Up until a week ago, mine were brillinat. Since then, every single bastard attempt has sunk!

I find using cupcake cases in a muffin tin helps produce flat cupcakes.
Easygrip piping bags from Lakeland and I confess to using Betty Crockers chocolate fudge butter icing or vanilla.
A light sprinkling of edible glitter.
Fay Ripleys cupcake recipe is my favourite.

Agree Hummingbird bakery book is the answer! The only book I have had where every recipe works.

glad to hear positive reviews of the hummingbird book, just put my butterscotch pecan cheesecake in the oven

hummingbird cupcakes never fail! Add a bit of cocoa powder to make the cakes and icing choclate.

I use this basic method for all my 'cakes'

I cream together 6oz stork and caster sugar (really well, use food processor or electric whisk)

I add I teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 large eggs
6oz shifted flour (doesn't have to be posh stuff I use basics)

I beat that really well. if i'm doing chocolate I take out 1 tablespoon of flour and replace it with cocoa powder

Use muffin cases in a muffin tin

Bake at 180 for about 10 minutes

T's foolproof for me, but I'm crap at decorating so can't help you there.

Good luck

Just spent £20 on the hummingbird book...better be worth it :o

which one did you buy? The first one? I'm tempted but I have loads and loads of baking/cookery books and only ever look at the pictures and make myself hungry.

would recommend this book.

I didn't have much luck with the hummingbird one at all.

Try the library and save yer pennies

Is the cake days one....I found it in a charity shop today for 99p!!! So have taken mine back!!

whoops sorry posted on wrong thread

cake link meant to post

Brown Eyed Baker has a great blog and these cupcakes are delicious and really easy to make.

www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/13/mocha-cupcakes-with-espresso-buttercream-frosting/