Showing posts with label purple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purple. Show all posts

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Sweet Strawberry Valentine Cupcakes Recipe


Sweet Strawberry Valentine Cupcakes


It's that time of year again, where every couple feel couplier and everyone who's single feels singlier..? Either way, why not make some love themed cupcakes to show the one you love just how much you love them
(A'ww!). Contrary to last year, this year I happen to be one among the singletons, and therefore have undoubtedly given myself the title of a spinster that snarls at all of the happy-faced cuddly bears and ribbon wrapped chocolates on the Valentine themed shelves. Be that as it may, I have experienced the special feeling on Valentines when you are in love, and I still get excited for any holiday that gives a reason for themed cakes! Be it for yourself (self love is priority!) or for a significant other, these are a perfect homemade Valentine gift baked with love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This recipe combines a sweet strawberry flavoured moist sponge with a pink rose water buttercream for an adorable and romantic little treat.


Makes 12 - 24

Ingredients


For the cakes:

120g Butter or Margarine
120g Caster Sugar (could also use granulated)
2 Eggs
140g Self-Raising Flour
A Splash of Milk
1/2 to 1 Tsp Strawberry Extract

For the buttericing:

140g Butter
340g Icing Sugar (+ more if necessary)
1 to 2 Tbsp Milk (+ more if necessary)
1/2 Tsp Rose Water (or Strawberry Extract)
Pink Food Colouring
Pink / White / Purple Edible Crystals
Edible Heart Decorations

Directions

  • Preheat an oven to 180°C.
  • Line a muffin/cake tray (2 if you have them) with cake cases.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a spoon until pale and fluffy.
  • In a jug or cup, beat the eggs with a whisk and beat into the butter mixture.
  • Add vanilla extract.
  • Fold in the flour a little at a time, using a spoon. Whisk the mixture and add some milk until the mixture is of a dropping consistency (take a spoonful and see if the mixture drops / droops off).
  • Spoon the mixture into the cases until half full.
  • Bake in the oven for approx. 10 to 15 minutes (until the tops are golden and firm and an inserted skewer / toothpick comes out clean).
  • Allow the cakes to cool on a plate or wire rack.
  • While the cakes are cooling, make the buttericing by beating the butter until smooth in a large bowl.
  • Add icing sugar until the buttericing is a pale yellow / white colour (here is where I do a taste test to see if more icing sugar is needed!)
  • Add milk until the icing is of a smooth and drooping consistency but not too liquid. (It should be thick but still a droopy mixture).
  • Mix in vanilla or strawberry extract.
  • Place the buttericing mixture into a piping bag and pipe onto the cooled cakes. (I used an open star nozzle!).
  • Decorate with edible heart decorations, sprinkles and crystals in valentine colours!
  • Allow to chill in a refrigerator.
  • These will last for approx. 3 - 4 days.

Tips & Serving ideas

  • Add dried, frozen or chopped fresh strawberries into the buttercream.
  • Add a berry jam filling.
  • Top with a meringue buttercream.
  • Make some homemade mini fondant hearts to decorate!
Make a combination of cupcakes in each box!


Cara X

Pink Sparkly Party Ring Cupcakes Recipe


Sparkly Party Ring Cupcakes


Do you ever get one of those days where no matter how much of a manly man type of girl you usually are, you just fancy something that is overloaded with pink , sugar, sparkles and glitter?! I just experienced such a day and created some pink, sparkly cupcakes! I always have some mini Party Rings on hand (who doesn't?!) as everybody knows that anything that comes in miniature form is instantly 10x more adorable. Mini glittery iced biscuit cupcakes? What could be cuter than that?!


Let the party begin!


Teamed with pink, white  purple edible crystals and a mini Party Ring biscuit on top, these are the ultimate girly girl cupcakes. Perfect for young girls' parties, you're going to love these sweet vanilla buttercream cakes!

One for you.. three for me..


Makes 12 - 24

Ingredients

For the cakes:

120g Butter or Margarine
120g Caster Sugar (could also use granulated)
2 Eggs
140g Self-Raising Flour
A Splash of Milk
1 to 2 tbsp edible Pink or Multicolour Sprinkles

For the buttericing:

140g Butter
340g Icing Sugar (+ more if necessary)
1-2 tbsp Milk (+ more if necessary)
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Pink Edible Spray
Pink / White / Purple Edible Crystals
3 to 4 bags Mini Party Rings
Edible Glitter

Directions
  • Preheat an oven to 180°C.
  • Line a muffin/cake tray (2 if you have them) with cake cases.
  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with a spoon until pale and fluffy.
  • In a jug or cup, beat the eggs with a whisk and beat into the butter mixture.
  • Add vanilla extract.
  • Fold in the flour a little at a time, using a spoon. Whisk the mixture and add some milk until the mixture is of a dropping consistency (take a spoonful and see if the mixture drops / droops off).
  • Mix in the pink (or multicoloured) sprinkles.
  • Spoon the mixture into the cases until half full.
  • Bake in the oven for approx. 10 to 15 minutes (until the tops are golden and firm and an inserted skewer / toothpick comes out clean).
  • Allow the cakes to cool on a plate or wire rack.
  • While the cakes are cooling, make the buttericing by beating the butter until smooth in a large bowl.
  • Add icing sugar until the buttericing is a pale yellow / white colour (here is where I do a taste test to see if more icing sugar is needed!)
  • Add milk until the icing is of a smooth and drooping consistency but not too liquid. (It should be thick but still a droopy mixture).
  • Mix in vanilla extract.
  • Place the buttericing mixture into a piping bag and pipe onto the cooled cakes. (I used an open star nozzle!).
  • Spray the cakes with edible pink glitter spray (hold can approx. 20cm from icing). Or any spray you may have!
  • Sprinkle on some small edible pink, white and purple crystals.
  • Place a party ring on top, or cut two different colours in half and place one of each beside each other!
  • Dust with edible glitter if you wish!
  • Allow to chill in a refrigerator.
  • These will last for approx. 3 - 4 days.

Tips & Serving ideas

  • Go for different coloured sprays and glitter on different cakes in the Party Ring colour palette!
  • Add a pink raspberry jam filling.
  • You could also add food colouring to the buttercream!

This counts as a balanced breakfast.. right?!


Cara X