Let's make cupcakes!

Sometime's simple is best, and what is simpler than the humble cupcake?

What's the Secret Ingredient?

So you want to bake the perfect cupcake, huh? Well, you've come to the right place! Get ready to embark on a sweet and scrumptious adventure that will leave your taste buds begging for more. But first, let's talk about the secret ingredient that will take your cupcakes to a whole new level of deliciousness. Are you ready? It's... love! Yes, that's right, my friend. Pour a whole lot of love into your batter, and you'll be amazed at the magical results.

Mixing it Up: The Art of Batter

Now that you know the secret ingredient, let's dive into the art of batter. It's all about finding the perfect balance between wet and dry ingredients. You want your batter to be smooth and creamy, like a dreamy cloud floating in the sky. Don't overmix it though, or you'll end up with tough cupcakes that even your dog wouldn't touch. And trust me, dogs have low standards when it comes to food.

Temperature Matters: The Oven Dance

Once your batter is ready, it's time to do the oven dance. Preheat that bad boy to the right temperature, and make sure it's not playing any tricks on you. You want your cupcakes to rise and bake evenly, like a synchronized swimming team. Keep an eye on them though, because nobody likes burnt bottoms. Or soggy bottoms for that matter.

Frosting Frenzy: The Icing on the Cupcake

Now comes the best part – the frosting frenzy! This is where you can let your creativity run wild. Whether you prefer a classic buttercream or a decadent cream cheese frosting, make sure to spread it on with love and care. And don't forget the sprinkles! They're like tiny edible confetti that will make your cupcakes scream "party time!"

Time to Indulge: The Sweet Reward

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for – it's time to indulge in your masterpiece. Take a bite of that perfectly moist cupcake, close your eyes, and let the flavors dance on your tongue. Feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from creating something truly magical in your own kitchen. And remember, if anyone asks for the recipe, just smile mysteriously and say, "It's a family secret."

So there you have it, my friend. The recipe for baking the perfect cupcake is a combination of love, creativity, and a sprinkle of magic. Now go forth and conquer the world, one cupcake at a time!

Basic Cupcake Recipe

 Makes 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

Sponge

• 160g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 160g Golden Caster Sugar
• 160g Self Raising Flour
• 3 Large Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Optional – 60g Cocoa Powder (To make chocolate flavour cupcakes)

Buttercream

• 200g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 400g Icing sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 3 tbsp Milk

Optional – 50g Cocoa Powder (To make chocolate flavour buttercream)

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and fill a 12-cupcake tray with cases.
2. Beat together the butter, sugar & vanilla until light and creamy.
3. Add the eggs and flour (and cocoa if using) and mix until well combined and smooth.
4. Spoon the batter into the cupcake cases. Fill each one around ½ to 2/3 full, make sure to leave room for the sponge to rise.
5. Bake for 15-20 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Leave to cool completely.
6. To make the buttercream beat the butter until soft & creamy and light in colour.
7. Add the icing sugar (and cocoa if using) & vanilla and beat together until smooth (start off slowly to avoid an icing sugar cloud) then beat in 3 tbsp milk.
8. If using food colouring add this now (start with a small amount) and mix through.
9. Pipe or spoon onto the cooled cupcakes and decorate. Add sprinkles!

 Enjoy!