Tuesday Treats: Cupcakes of all varieties!

Hello lovelies!

Whenever I mention on Twitter that I'm having a baking session, I get inundated with requests for photos and recipes. Today I thought I'd share with you my latest creations and recipe variations! This is a bit of a long post, so apologies in advance :)

* Cupcake Creations *

* Recipe & How to *

* Cake Mixture*

4oz caster sugar

4oz butter

WHIZZ

2 large eggs

6oz self raising flour

pinch of salt

drop of vanilla extract (only for plain cupcakes - no need if adding other flavouring)

WHIZZ

Deposit the cupcake mixture into cupcake cases

Pop into a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes - set your timer :)

Check your cupcakes - if you lightly press in the centre, the sponge should bounce back. If not pop back into the oven for a couple more minutes

Please bear in mind that cooking time may vary depending on the type of oven you have. For reference purposes, I have a fan oven and I find that 18 minutes is perfect for my cupcakes.

Flavouring variations:

Chocolate - Once you've weighed out your flour, remove 1 tablespoon of it from your final amount. Then add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. This should be ample flavouring for 12 cupcakes. If you're doubling the recipe, double the amount of cocoa powder.

Strawberry - Follow the basic recipe and substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of strawberry flavouring to the final mixture. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Orange - Follow the basic recipe and substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of orange extract to the final mixture. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired - this probably will not be necessary as extract is stronger than flavouring :)

Lemon - Follow the basic recipe and substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of lemon extract to the final mixture. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired - this probably will not be necessary as extract is stronger than flavouring :)

* Frosting *

This should ice 12 cupcakes

3oz butter

6oz icing sugar

Drop of vanilla extract

WHIZZ

You can increase this recipe if you desire, just remember to keep the ratio 1:2, so instead of using 3oz and 6oz, you can use 4oz and 8oz etc etc :)

Flavouring variations:

Chocolate - Substitute the vanilla extract for 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Whizz. Taste, and add a little more if desired.

Chocolate Peppermint - Substitute the vanilla extract for 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Whizz. Taste, and add a little more if desired. Add one teaspoon of peppermint extract. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Chocolate Orange - Substitute the vanilla extract for 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Whizz. Taste, and add a little more if desired. Add one teaspoon of orange extract. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Peppermint -  Substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of peppermint extract. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Strawberry - Substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of strawberry flavouring. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Orange - Substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of orange extract to the frosting mixture. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

Lemon - Substitute the vanilla extract for a teaspoon of orange extract to the frosting mixture. Whizz. Taste, and add more if desired.

I tend to use extract wherever possible as it offers the best flavours. It is stronger than flavouring so one teaspoon should be ample. I'm really rating Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Orange, Lemon and Peppermint Extracts at the moment!

* Decorations *

I've found a fab new tool for icing cupcakes and it costs less than £4! If you have a Lakeland close by, or fancy ordering online check this product out! I have the orange one with the star nozzle. It's a bit of a faff to fill up but it makes icing such a doddle!

Source

If I fancy any extra items on my frosting, I usually just pick up decorating items from the supermarket. In the past I've used glitter sugar, silver sugar balls, chocolate crispies, chocolate stars, chocolate shavings, pearl sugar balls, edible Christmas decorations and confectionery. 

You can use anything that you have available really - your creativity knows no bounds! What's important is that you have fun :D

♥

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment or drop me an email and I'll get back to you as soon as I can :)