Classic Coffee Walnut Cake

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There are many classic flavour combinations; strawberries and cream, rhubarb and custard, apple and cinnamon. And they don’t need tinkering with because they work so well together. Rather like this delicious Classic Coffee And Walnut Cake.

FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake

However, recently a few people have asked if I have a Classic Coffee Walnut Cake recipe and while it’s a cake that I’ve baked many times over the years, I realised it wasn’t on here. So, in a attempt to rectify that and make my Father in law’s favourite cake, here it is.

FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake
Classic Coffee Walnut Cake a real treat.

Baking Cakes To Share

While I tried to make this cake relatively small as it will be shared between two people, in reality I failed! Although this cake was baked in my small 7 inch sandwich tins, I have packed so many walnuts into the centre, this Classic Coffee Walnut Cake will easily feed 8 people!

Alternatively, if you would prefer a slightly smaller cake (don’t laught at me) I suggest cutting down on the walnuts, not the cake!

FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake
Classic Coffee Walnut Cake a delicious thank you gift.

Baking; A Form Of Therapy

Hubby is, as I write this, undergoing a hospital procedure and as a way of distracting myself and thanking my wonderful in laws for taking him, I made this cake. Also I’m trying to distract myself by writing this post. Although, I’ll have to see how much editing is needed at the end to know how well I managed.

As I mentioned I have made lots of coffee and walnut cakes over the years and I do usually add chopped walnuts to the cake batter. Yet, in this instance, especially as the cake sponges are quite small, I decided to pack chopped walnuts into the centre of the sandwich cake. Because this cake was made to be given away, now I’ve made it I really fancy a slice! Expect another coffee cake recipe on here soon.

FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake
Classic Coffee Walnut Cake plenty of delicious, toasted, chopped walnuts fill the centre of this cake.

The Beauty Of Buttercream Icing

Also, I made a mistake whilst decorating this cake. After piping the 8 swirls around the edge, I piped a monstrously hideous circle in the centre. While I photographed the cake I became more and more disheartened by this huge swirl of buttercream spoiling the look of the cake. Fortunately, this is where buttercream is a dream to work with, using a small palette knife it lifted right off the cake. And I then dusted the cake with icing sugar and replaced a single walnut half, with a dob of buttercream in the centre.

Sometimes less is more (never with glitter) and that was definitely the case with this Classic Coffee Walnut Cake.

I have shown you a photograph of the centre of the cake as this could easily be the top. However, if you aren’t confident piping buttercream just use half in the middle and spread half on top of the cake. There are plenty of walnuts in the recipe, enough for you to chop and cover both the middle and top layers and your cake will still look delicious and inviting.

Recipe: Makes one Classic Coffee Walnut Cake – serves 8

For the cake sponges:

150g/5oz Unsalted Butter

150g/5oz Caster Sugar

3 Large Free Range Eggs

2tsp Instant Coffee dissolved in 2tbsp/30ml boiling water

1tsp Vanilla Extract I use NIELSEN-MASSEY

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

150g/5oz Plain Flour – self raising can be substituted DO NOT add extra baking powder

1tsp Baking Powder

For the buttercream:

2tsp Instant Coffee liquid – leftover from sponge recipe (or 1tsp vanilla extract)

150g/5oz Unsalted Butter

300g/11oz Icing Sugar Sifted plus 2 teaspoonful for dusting the cake

125g/4.5oz Walnut Halves

Method: preheat oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F

Making And Baking The Coffee Cake Sponges

  • First of all butter 2 x 7″ (17cm) sandwich tins and line with baking parchment.
  • Place the instant coffee into a cup and add 30ml of boiling water. Stir to dissolve and set to one side to cool.
  • In a large bowl add the butter and sugar. Whisk/beat until pale and creamy.
  • Next add the 3 eggs, vanilla extract and 3 teaspoons of the cooled liquid coffee. Whisk/beat for 2 minutes until combined.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl.
  • Fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just incorporated. This will ensure a very light sponge.
  • Divide the batter equally between the 2 prepared cake tins. Use may use digital scales to ensure your quantities are even, or just eyeball it as I did.
FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake
Two coffee cakes ready for the oven.
  • Bake the cakes in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes.
  • The sponges are baked when they are golden brown and spring back from a light touch.
  • As soon as the cakes are baked remove from the oven, place the tins on a cooling rack and leave to cool in the tins for 10 minutes.
FF Classic Coffee Walnut Cake
Beautiful cooked coffee cakes.
  • When they are cool enough to handle turn the cakes out of their tins, ensuring one sponge is the right way up, for the top of the cake.
  • Allow the turned our sponges to cool completely before assembling the cake.
  • Place the walnut halves on to a baking tray and place in the hot oven for 5 minutes to toast. Remove and leave to cool on the baking tray.

Making The Icing And Decorating The Coffee And Walnut Cake

  • Place the butter, sifted icing sugar and 3 teaspoons of liquid coffee into a large bowl.
  • Whisk until pale and creamy. Taste the buttercream, add more coffee if desired.
  • When cooled place the bottom half of your cake, flat side up, onto a cake stand or board.
  • Using a palette knife spread half of the buttercream over the sponge, not quite reaching the edges.
  • Set aside 10 nice walnut halves to decorate the top of the cake ( it’s always good to have one spare).
  • Roughly chop the remaining walnuts and place on top of the buttercream.
  • Place the top half of you cake, rounded side up, on top of the bottom half.
  • Fit an icing bag with a French star tip (or whatever tip you prefer).
  • Fill the icing bag with the remaining buttercream.
  • Pipe 8 small swirls equally around the top edge of the cake. Pipe the same small swirl in the centre.
  • Top the buttercream swirls with walnut halves.
  • Pipe little swirls around the middle of the cake, where it is sandwiched together for a pretty finish.
  • Dust with a little icing sugar.

Classic Coffee Walnut Cake such a beautifully delicious, easy cake to make and the perfect gift for any coffee cake lover.

Store the cake in an airtight container, in the fridge during hot weather. Eat within four days.

Thank you

I love my husbands parents very much. Hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this year. My relationship with my in – laws has not always been smooth or plain sailing. We have been through a lot together and I honestly love and respect them as if they were my own parents.

Thank you Ma and Pa, we couldn’t have gotten through the last 20 years and especially the last year without you x.

I really enjoy baking for other people. It’s such a fantastic feeling when you see the look of surprise and joy on their face when I give them a cake, or whatever goody I have baked. Finally, hubby should be home soon and I have managed to keep myself distracted whilst he has been gone.

Do you enjoy baking for others?

If you’ve enjoyed this Classic Coffee Walnut Cake then you may also want to take a peek at these recipes:

Raspberry Almond Cream Cake

FF Raspberry Almond Cream Cake
Raspberry Almond Cream 

Baileys Coffee And Walnut Cake

Bailey’s Coffee And Walnut Cake
Baileys Coffee And Walnut Cake

Strawberry Sweetheart Cake 

MT Strawberry Sweetheart Cake
Strawberry Sweetheart Cake

I’d love to see photos of any bakes that you have made as gifts. Please pop a pic on Twitter or Instagram and tag me in. Likewise, do you have a story linked to a special bake? Also tell me about it in the comments section, I love reading all of your comments.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

 

The cake below features vanilla icing and a sprinkle of edible holographic glitter. Substitute the coffee in the buttercream icing recipe for one teaspoon of vanilla extract. While the addition of sparkles is your choice!

 

Vanilla buttercream iced coffee and walnut cake finished with edible holographic glitter.

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Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

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I love Spring and all the promise that it holds. Finally the sun is shining for longer than it is dark. Each tree and shrub holds on tightly to their buds, until bursting open to reveal blossom and lime green leaves. Daffodils still abound, their bright sunny faces shining, even when the sun is hidden by clouds. Yellow, for me is a warm happy colour and maybe that’s why I love these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes so much?

FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Does this photograph make you feel happy? It certainly does me!

Lemon Drizzle is such a popular cake recipe and for good reason. The lemon in cakes wakes up our tastebuds in a sweet/sour heavenly combination. Whether in a large cake thickly drizzled with lemon icing or a thinner icing that soaks into the warm cake,  as here in my Lemon Drizzle Cake. There are many different methods and recipes for this delightful fruit and cake combination.

Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

For me though, these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes completely steal the show in terms of cuteness!

The correct name for these individual portions of lemony loveliness is Bundtlettes. Slightly larger than a cupcake, with a central hole that is a common element of most Bundt cakes, these individual Bundts are adorable. They are certain to create avid conversation amongst whom ever they are served.

FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Remember you only see shadows on a sunny day!

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Photographer

Recently I joined a Food Photography Group on one of the social media platforms – and no I’m not going to say which one! Anyway, photographing my creations is a hugely enjoyable part of food blogging for me. Recently I tweeted that the most ‘cropped out’ feature of my photos were my feet! So in a bid to learn how to improve I joined this group.

FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Well, let’s just say, I don’t think we were of the same mindset!

I left after I’d posted my second photograph. It seems that whilst I was more than willing and still am, to learn by constructive criticism, there was a dogmatic sense of what was right or wrong. That’s fine, some people are very black and white, but I certainly did not join the group to be bullied!

The reason I mention it, is because, to me and others, the photograph above is perfect, precisely because it is imperfect – I’ll explain. Shadows are bad in food photography, neutral light against a soft background works best. Well maybe, yet it was a gloriously sunny day when I made these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes and through my eyes, that is reflected in the photograph. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I hold no resentful feelings against the group.

I have giggled over one photo of mine that has received numerous positive comments and shares!! I’m an inclusive person and bullying, whatever the form it takes, will never be allowed to have a place in my life.

Recipe: Makes 12 Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Alternatively, halve the quantities if you only want 6.

You will need a Bundlette tin like this from Nordic Ware

FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Bundlette pan from Nordicware

Cake Release Spray – I use Wilton’s or alternatively use melted butter & flour to grease the tin (see note below)

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter – softened at room temperature

225g/8oz Caster Sugar

4 Large Free Range Eggs – I use Burford Brown eggs from Clarence Court

225g/8oz Plain Flour

2tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Salt

2 Lemons – scrubbed with a nail brush under hot water if waxed, then zested using a grater/lemon zester and squeezed.

200g/7oz Icing Sugar

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F.

Making And Baking The Mini Bundt Cakes

  • First of all, prepare the Bundlette tin by spraying with Cake Release. If you choose to use melted butter, brushed on and then coat in flour – NOTE there is a slight chance that the cakes may stick. I have had mixed results so recommend cake release.
  • In a large bowl add the caster sugar and butter.
  • Whisk/Beat until pale and creamy.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a separate bowl – dry ingredients.
  • Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients and 2 eggs to the butter/sugar.
  • Mix together until just incorporated.
  • Repeat the last 2 steps.
  • Add the final 1/3 of dry ingredients and the zest of 2 lemons.
  • Mix until all of the ingredients are combined.
  • Spoon the lemon cake batter into each individual mould in the Bundlette tin.
FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Fill each mould no more than two thirds full.
  • Smooth the top (actually it will become the bottom!) of each mould with a teaspoon.
  • Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • The cake is baked when it is golden brown and springs back from a light touch.
  • Once baked remove the cakes from the oven.
  • Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before turning out onto a cooling rack.

Making the lemon drizzle:

  • Sift the icing sugar into a bowl.
  • Add the juice of 2 lemons and whisk until smooth.
  • Whilst the cakes are still hot, spoon the lemon drizzle over them (saving half for the other 6 Bundlettes).
  • The lemon drizzle will be absorbed into the hot cake and creates a fantastic crunch on cooling.
FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Drizzling the lemon glaze over a hot cake.
  • Rinse the Bundlette tin, dry, prepare, fill and bake the other 6 cakes – spooning the rest of the lemon drizzle over them whilst they are hot.
  • Leave the cakes to cool – if you can wait!

The texture of these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes is wonderful. Beautifully light sponge with the added crunch that comes from the soaked in lemon drizzle. If you like lemon cake I guarantee that you will love these cute Bundlettes!

FF Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes
Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes perfect portions of sunshine in a cake.

With warmer weather promising, these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes are perfect for taking on picnics, afternoon tea in the garden, o just because they taste soo darn good!

As soon as the weather warms up I love to spend time in our garden, listening to the birds, watching busy bees going about their business, enjoying the warmth that the sun brings. Oh and trying not to notice all the ‘jobs’ that need doing. I’ve got a trick for that, I just lay down on our swing seat and close my eyes 😉.

Do you feel better in yourself when the sun shines and the warmer weather arrives? I know I do!

If you have enjoyed these fruity Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes here are some more recipes you may like to try:

Chocolate Orange Citrus Bundt Cake

WB Chocolate Orange Citrus Bundt
Chocolate Orange Citrus Bundt easy to make and easier to eat!

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

FF Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

FF Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake

I love baking in the sunshine with the back door open and in the midst of winter with the heating on. Today most certainly is on the chilly side, yet these Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes have brought some sunshine indoors!

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, please keep them coming? It is one of the best things about writing Feasting is Fun, interacting with you, my amazing readers. Also I’m on Twitter and Instagram, so put up a photo of your make or bake and tag me in. I love to see what you’re up to in your kitchens and I’ll be sure to give you a shoutout or retweet.

So, whatever er you are doing this weekend, I hope you have lots of fun and enjoy feasting on delicious home cooked food!

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Small individual citrus iced sponges baked in a Nordicware mould.

 

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Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut

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Do any of you, my lovely readers have fears? I like to think that I don’t, yet I am never too happy with heights – the bridge in ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’. I’m pretty sure I’d have to be blindfolded, gagged and carried across!! Another irrational fear I’ve had for a while has been baking with silicone. Because it looks like plastic to me and plastic melts in the oven – right? Well today I faced my fear and baked this delicious Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut using a silicone mould!

And guess what – it didn’t melt!

FF Raspberries And Cream Giant Doughnut

Yep you can always trust Sammie to NOT be at the forefront of new baking technology 😉.

I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally baked using a silicone mould. So much so that I have to agree with friends that bake with silicone all the time, they are an absolute dream to work with. I’ve had these silicone giant doughnut moulds since the January sales, I like to ease into things gradually!!

FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut such a light fluffy sponge.

Seasonal Fruit And Vegetables Are Unbeatable

When baking and cooking I really try to use seasonal fruit and vegetables. So this Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut has defrosted frozen raspberries in the middle. Because raspberries are most definitely not in season, however I find the frozen British raspberries from Waitrose are fantastic quality and perfect for use, as fresh fruit, during the colder months.

We grow quite a bit of fruit in our back garden, including raspberries, strawberries, cherries, apples, plums and pears – ooh blackcurrants, redcurrants and blackberries too. Last year wasn’t brilliant for raspberries in our garden, yet we had buckets full of cherries. Our children are duly dispatched to various neighbours houses, sharing the fruit.

FF Raspberry And Cream Giant Doughnut
Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut perfect for afternoon tea.

In a good year when there is an abundance of raspberries I always try to freeze some down. Usually there are only enough for our trifle on Christmas Day, as we love eating them fresh, or turning them into jam. Raspberry jam has to be my absolute favourite and I was going to make a small batch of fresh jam to use in this Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut – however, my body had other ideas.

Keeping Positive

Rather I focus on the positives, those being: this Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut is so easy to make, bake and decorate. And on top of that, once the doughnut is assembled and sliced into – well, the flavour is outstanding. Resulting in a sponge that is lighter than light, the ‘fresh’ raspberry tartness works well with the sweetness of the jam and the hint of almond in the glacé icing, adds that extra level of flavour.

Recipe: Makes one Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut

At a guess I’d say this should serve 8-10 people, but there again if they want seconds…….

200g/7oz Unsalted Butter – softened plus 1tbsp extra for grasing the doughnut moulds

200g/7oz Caster Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – can substitute for vanilla extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

5 Large Free Range Eggs

200g/7oz Plain Flour

1.5tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

For the filling:

3-4tbsp Raspberry Jam for my homemade recipe see here

150g/5oz Fresh or Defrosted Raspberries

300ml/ 1/2 pint Double Cream + 1tsp Caster Sugar

For the icing:

100g Icing Sugar – sifted

1/2tsp Almond Extract – again I use – Nielsen-Massey

Pink Gel Food Colouring

Sprinkles of your choice

Method: Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan, gas mark 3, 325F

Making The Doughnut Batter

FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
The two silicone doughnut moulds.
  • Grease both of the doughnut moulds with butter – remembering to grease the middle section that will make the doughnut hole.
  • Into a large bowl add the butter and sugar.
  • Whisk/beat together for 5 minutes. This is important as it will help the sponge be very light and tender.
  • Add the vanilla bean paste and whisk/beat for a further 2 minutes.
  • Add all 5 eggs to the bowl.
  • Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Whish/beat slowly until the ingredients have just come together.
  • Use a rubber/silicone spatula to give the mix a couple of stirs, ensuring all the ingredients, especially from the bottom of the bowl are combined.
  • Carefully spoon half of the batter into each of the doughnut halves.
  • Smooth the top of the batter for an even bake.
  • Place the doughnut halves, making sure they do not touch, on a baking tray and place in the middle of the oven.
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Fill each doughnut mould with half of the mixture.

Baking The Doughnut Halves

  • Cook for 40-50 minutes. Mine took 45 minutes.
  • The doughnut is cooked when it is golden and springs back from a light touch. You will also notice, from the picture below that the cake has started to come away from the side of the mould.
  • As soon as the giant doughnut halves are baked remove from the oven and place onto a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Move the moulds onto a cooling rack.
  • After 10 minutes cooling in the mould has elapsed, gently tip each doughnut half out of its mould.
  • Allow to cool completely on the rack
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Two halves of a giant doughnut cooling on the rack.

Filling And Decorating The Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut

  • As soon as both halves are cooled the doughnut can now be decorated.
  • Place one half, flat side up, on a pretty serving plate, board or cake stand.
  • Carefully spread the raspberry jam so that it covers the flat surface.
  • Arrange the raspberries in a pattern, on top of the jam.
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
The bottom layer is decorated.
  • In a bowl add the double cream and sugar.
  • Whisk until it just holds a stiff peak.
  • Fit a large piping bag with a #1M Wilton large star tip.
  • Fill the piping bag with the whipped cream.
  • Pipe a swirl pattern around the middle of the bottom layer.
  • Pipe stars all around the inside and outside edge of the doughnut half.
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Piped swirls and stars of freshly whipped cream.
  • Place the other doughnut half on top of the fruit and whipped cream, curved side facing up. You now have a giant doughnut!!
  • To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a small bowl, add the almond extract.
  • Add 2tsp of water and mix, then add a tiny bit of pink gel colouring using a cocktail stick.
  • The icing consistency needs to be thick but still pourable – add a little extra water to achieve this.
  • Using a spoon, drizzle the thick icing over the top of the doughnut, as shown in the picture.
  • Finally add your sprinkles before the glacé icing sets.
FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Finished with almond glacé icing and pretty pearlised sprinkles.

Serve the Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut sliced with a nice cup of afternoon tea.

FF Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut
Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut

If you have enjoyed this Raspberries Cream Giant Doughnut recipe you may also like these:

Raspberry Almond Cream Cake

FF Raspberry Almond Cream Cake
Raspberry Almond Cream Cake

Lemon Drizzle Whipped Cream Filled Giant Doughnut 

FF Lemon Drizzle Whipped Cream Filled Giant Doughnut
Lemon Drizzle Whipped Cream Filled Giant Doughnut

Black Forest Giant Doughnut 

FF Black Forest Giant Doughnut
Black Forest Giant Doughnut

While Sunday tea may not be a national tradition anymore, sometimes it’s nice to have a beautiful slice of something delicious, mid afternoon, just because you can!

Since I find baking a pleasure not a burden. Yet, sometimes it is nice to share things out, that way we all get to enjoy each other’s bakes!

Personally I’m all for tradition and think bringing back a proper Sunday afternoon tea, where all the family gathers together, is a brilliant idea. Perhaps not every week, although there is nothing wrong with that. Rather, once a month, with everyone contributing so that the burden of baking doesn’t fall on only one pair of shoulders.

Whatever you make and bake in your kitchen, remember feasting really is fun, especially when we share with others.

Sammie xx

 

 

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Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

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Wednesday this week was a truly dreary, dark and very cold day. All types of weather threw themselves at the ground; hail, snow, rain, sleet and it was windy too. Especially as it is March, I want to see evidence of Spring. Most of all flowers and lambs. Finally, I an attempt to cheer us all up I made these very pretty and extremely delicious Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes.

FF Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

So, does the image of pink, raspberry buttercream topped cupcakes, adorned with large daisy flowers and butterflies cheer you up?

FF Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

While the weather was so chilly and dreary, I was also feeling a little blue too, having just received news that a very close friend is extremely poorly. And so baking these cupcakes was therapeutic on both counts.

Do you find baking relaxing?

FF Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

    Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Using Naturally Flavoured Icing Sugar

Although these are called Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes, which is true, the cake part is flavoured with Nielsen – Massey Vanilla Extract, for the buttercream I have used a favourite flavoured icing sugar.

Sugar and Crumbs sell an amazing range of naturally flavoured icing sugars. While making my Raspberry Ripple Cupcakes I used their Raspberry Ripple flavoured icing sugar. Since the day that last cupcake was eaten, in Kylie’s own words “I just can’t get you outta my head” I have wanted more. Especially more of the delicious tasting buttercream and more cupcake to swirl it onto!!

And so these Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes were the perfect excuse to indulge my passion again.

Importantly, this time I wanted to leave the option of using flavoured buttercream as a choice. Also, if you do buy some flavoured icing sugar, you can choose to make the buttercream any flavour you want. Especially, as the vanilla sponge goes well with any flavoured frosting. Alternatively, if you want to stick with vanilla buttercream that tastes awesome as well.

FF Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Personally I think the pink icing, along with the decorations, really set these cupcakes apart. Although ‘Springtime’ was at the forefront of my mind whilst creating these beauties, with Mother’s Day being this coming Sunday, they would also make a perfect gift for any Mum.

Recipe: Makes 18 Large Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

For the Cake:

175g/6oz Caster Sugar

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter at room temp.

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – or you can substitute for Vanilla Extract

3 Large Free Range Eggs

3tbsp Milk – whole or semi skimmed

175g/6oz Plain White Flour

1.5tsp Baking Powder

1/8th tsp/pinch of Salt – I use Maldon

For the Buttercream:

350g12oz Icing Sugar – I used 250g Sugar and Crumbs Raspberry Ripple flavour and 100g/4oz Plain Icing Sugar. (Confectioners Sugar)

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter

Pink Food Colour – I used Wilton pink food colouring gel (available from cake decorating shops, Amazon and similar from Lakeland UK)

2tbsp Very Hot Water

Dr Oetker rice paper daisies, various sprinkles (available from most supermarkets)

Rice paper butterflies – from Amazon

Method: Preheat the oven to 170C/150C fan oven, gas mark 3, 325F

Making The Vanilla Cupcake Batter

  • First of all, line 2 cupcake tins with 18 muffin or deep cupcake cases – the ones I used were a Christmas present from Lakeland.
  • Into a large bowl add your butter and sugar.
  • Whisk or beat until pale and creamy – approx 5 minutes.
  • Add 3 eggs, milk and Vanilla Bean Paste.
  • Sift into the bowl the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Note: This is called the all-in-one method.
  • Whisk or beat until all of the ingredients are combined – take care not to over mix and this will make the cupcakes tough, not light and springy.
  • Place a heaped dessert spoonful of cake batter into each cupcake case.
NM Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Baking The Vanilla Cupcakes

  • Place the cupcakes into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes,
  • The cupcakes are baked when they have risen and are a golden colour. They should spring back when pressed lightly on the top.
  • As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove from the oven.

NM Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

  • Allow to cool completely before icing.

Making The Pink Buttercream

  • Place the softened butter into a large bowl.
  • Sift the icing sugar into the same bowl.
  • Add the 2 tablespoons of hot water.
  • Add the food colouring, I use a cocktail stick and simply insert the tip into the food colouring gel and then add to the bowl.
  • Start slowly, whisking the buttercream ingredients until light, creamy and uniform in colour.

NM Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

  • Fit a piping bag with a large star tip.

Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Piping Swirls Of Buttercream On To The Cupcakes

  • Place the icing bag into a tall sturdy container, I use a jug.
  • Use a spoon or spatula, fill the icing bag with all of the buttercream.
  • Practise on a plate, if piping for the first time.
  • Squeeze the bag so that all the buttercream is together.
  • Keep an even pressure with one hand squeezing the bag and using the other hand to guide the piping tip, pipe swirls onto the cupcakes.
NM Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
  • Finally add the decorations.
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Gifting Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

Because I like giving the food I make away, I bought some cupcake pods, little plastic containers, perfect for holding one cupcake in and a great way to give individual cupcakes away as a gift. Since they were from Amazon and work out to about 10 pence per pod. Also, they can be washed up and used again, which is great recycling and means you can share even more cupcakes with others!

Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes 

Since piping the swirls onto the cupcakes gives them a beautiful, professional finish. means use whatever cupcake toppers and sprinkles that you have to hand. The beauty of these Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes is that they are individual to your own sense of taste and style.

FF Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes
Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes

If you like the Springtime Vanilla Cupcakes you will love these recipes:

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes so pretty.

Raspberry Ripple Almond Cupcakes

Raspberry Ripple Almond Cupcakes
Raspberry Ripple Almond Cupcakes the perfect way to say I Love You.

Strawberry Sweatheart Cake

Strawberry Sweetheart Cake
Strawberry Sweetheart Cake swirled with roses and sprinkled with love

So, enjoy baking and experimenting with piping different swirls!

Sammie xx

No part of the post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

 

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Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

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I adore lemons. Their fragrance, flavour and vibrant, sunny colour. So, I have put them to delicious use and made this Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake for you.

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

Yet Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake is an entirely different recipe to my Lemon Drizzle Cake.

Yes it still has strips of lemon zest and juice in the batter, making sure you keep topped up on your Vitamin C. In contrast, this cake is more akin to a Madeira Cake, being slightly denser than a sponge. And this is most definitely a good thing.

Also, buttermilk is added in this recipe and it ensures a moist crumb, bursting with lemon flavour.

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
The definition from the Bundt pan is stunning on this Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake

In Love With Lemons

So, please can we talk about the glaze for a minute?

Since it is literally TO-DIE-FOR, which I realise is slightly over dramatic, just wait till you taste it!

Because lemon juice when mixed with icing sugar becomes the most wonderful glaze. And that glaze is what we use to cover this cake.

Intensely lemony, not lip puckering though as it is forms the thinnest crust.

The lemon glaze is what first hits your tongue, waking your tastebuds up and alerting them to the buttery, lemon cake that follows. Finally, this cake is lemon through and through.

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake look how it sparkles!

So, for all you lemon lovers out there, this is the cake you have been waiting for.

Please don’t worry if you don’t own a Bundt tin, this cake can be baked in an 8″ round tin, or a 2lb loaf tin.

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Look at the fantastic detail on this Citrus Loaf Tin.

The Beauty Of Bundt Tins

I would urge you to invest in a Bundt tin. Since they take any cake batter and turn it into the most beautiful baked cake without you having to do anything. That’s got to be a good thing, right?

All my Bundt tins are by Nordic WareThere are various stockists in the UK so it’s worth shopping around, for both variety and price.

The Citrus Loaf Bundt Tin I used for this cake was bought in the sales from Lakeland for half the retail price. I know they have sold out online now, but it’s worth checking your local branch.

Also Amazon, eBay, TK Max and other retailers,  frequently have Bundt tins at lower prices.

Have I convinced you?

Recipe: Makes 1 Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake – serves 8-10

Cake Release Spray – I use Wilton’s (or melted butter for greasing the tin)

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter –  at room temperature

175g/6oz Caster Suger

200g/7oz Self Raising White Flour (if using Plain flour use 2tsp baking powder not 1/2tsp as stated below)

1/2tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

3 Large Eggs – I use free range

1tsp Vanilla Extract

100ml/4fl oz Buttermilk – left out of the fridge for 1 hour prior to use

2 Lemons – washed

200g Icing Sugar – sift

Optional – white edible glitter

Making The Lemon Cake

Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan oven, gas mark 4, 350F.

Note: If using melted butter to grease your tin, do so now, ensuring every part of the tin is covered in butter by using a pastry brush. Alternatively Spray your Bundt tin thoroughly with cake release (I do this over the sink).

  • First of all, into a large bowl whisk the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
  • Into a jug add the 3 eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Mix to combine.
  • Zest one of the lemons using a grater or lemon zester.
  • Cut the lemon in half.
  • Add 2tbsp of flour to the bowl, then add the egg/buttermilk mixture from the jug.
  • Whisk until thoroughly combined.

Note: The 2tbsp of flour should stop the mixture from curdling. If it does curdle please don’t worry, it will come back together in the next step.

  • Add the rest of the flour, salt, lemon zest and juice from half a lemon to the bowl.
  • Using a metal spoon gently mix all the ingredients together, until you have a smooth cake batter.
  • Spoon the cake batter into the Bundt tin, lightly pressing to ensure the batter is in every part of the tin.
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Always ensure the Bundt tin is never more than 3/4 full with cake batter.

Baking The Cake

  • Place the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.
  • The cake is baked when golden, slightly shrinking away from the sides and an inserted wooden skewer comes out clean.
  • As soon as the cake is baked remove from the oven.
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Place the Bundt tin onto a cooling rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes cooling invert the tin onto the cooling rack and leave for 5-10 minutes.
  • Gently lift the tin away from the cake.
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Ta-dah one not yet Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before glazing.

Making The Glaze And Decorating The Cake

  • Place a tray or a large piece of baking parchment under the cooling rack.
  • Sift the icing sugar into a bowl.
    Juice the remaining lemon half and the other lemon. You need 60mls exactly of lemon juice. If you do not have quite enough top up with tap water.
  • Add the lemon juice to the icing sugar and mix thoroughly until you have a very smooth consistency.
Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Slowly spoon the glaze over the top of the cake.
  • Allow the glaze to drip down the sides and then spoon more glaze over uncovered parts of the cake. Taking the excess glaze from the tray underneath and re-spooning it over the cake until it is completely covered.

  • When the glaze has set sprinkle lightly with white edible glitter.

Move the cake onto a serving plate.

Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
Delicious Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake.

Give yourself a pat on the back for making such a stunning cake!

Yes, alright I know the Bundt tin did most of the work, so why wouldn’t you want to get one??

Enjoy this cake with friends, family, work colleagues, anyone who loves lemon cake. Food tastes infinitely better when shared.

If you have loved baking this Glazed Lemon Bundt cake, here are a few more you might like to try:

Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

Marbled Chocolate Bundt Cake

Marbled Chocolate Bundt Cake


Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Mini Lemon Drizzle Bundt Cakes

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

 

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Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

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It’s Sunday, time for a little treat?? So how about these Vanilla Bean Cupcakes? Moist, vanilla flavoured sponge, topped with the lightest, most dreamy vanilla buttercream and a pearl, because you are special.

FF Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Look how pretty these cupcakes are. So beautiful, that I almost called them antique Vanilla Bean Cupcakes, although I thought better of it. Since I’m pretty sure everyone would have imagined them as hard, mouldy, relics of the past – yep not conjuring up the image I’d like!!!

Especially stunning are these cupcake cases. A wonderful Christmas present from a much loved friend.

FF Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

 

Thank You For The Presents:

Because I received quite a few cooking and baking related presents last year, for both Christmas and my birthday, using them feel extra extra special. Especially the little, cute, individual cupcake stand , present from my hubby.

Also I was very excited to receive four cookbooks, which I enjoy reading, as if they are novels. Although I very rarely follow a recipe religiously, I gather inspiration and ideas from my ever increasing cookbook collection.

Am I alone in my cookbook obsession collection?  Thought not!!!

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes perfect for afternoon tea.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

These Vanilla Bean Cupcakes were the final bake for a review I have been carrying out. So after much discussion with my daughter, regarding flavour combinations, we decided to settle on a classic vanilla sponge, with the addition of vanilla bean paste instead of extract. Yet I kept to vanilla extract for the best buttercream icing ever!

Look at that delicious swirl of buttercream.

The result being, the best cupcakes I have made, this year!

Recipe: Makes 12 deep filled Vanilla Bean Cupcakes or 18-20 standard ones.

For the cupcakes

150g/6oz Caster Sugar

150g/6oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon 

150g/6oz Plain White Flour

1.5 tsp Baking powder – I use Waitrose 

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – I use Nielsen-Massey 

3 Large Eggs – I always use free range

25ml/1fl oz Whole Milk

Cupcake cases

For the buttercream

400g/14oz Icing Sugar -sieved

200g/7oz Unsalted Butter – very soft

1/8tsp Salt

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

3tbsp Boiling Water

Edible pearls or sprinkles for decoration

Method: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan oven, gas mark 4, 350F

Making And Baking The Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

  • First of all, into a large bowl add the butter and caster sugar.
  • Whisk the ingredients together until pale and creamy.

Whisk the sugar and butter together until pale and creamy.

  • Add the eggs, milk, vanilla bean extract and salt to the bowl and whisk until fully combined.

Add the eggs, milk, vanilla bean paste and salt to the bowl. Mix to combine be.

  • Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl.

  • Fold all of the ingredients together.

Fold all the ingredients together until combined. This will ensure the Vanilla Bean Cupcakes are light and fluffy.

  • Spoon the cake batter into each cupcake case so that they are half full.

Fill each cupcake case half way with cake batter.

  • Place the cupcake tray into the middle of the preheated oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes (a shorter time will be required for smaller cupcakes).
  • The cupcakes are baked when golden brown and spring back when pressed lightly in the centre.
  • As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove the from the oven.
Baked, golden Vanilla Bean Cupcakes.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes.
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then place them on to a cooling rack to cool completely.

The Key To Making The Lightest Buttercream Frosting:

  • Place the butter, salt, vanilla extract and butter into a large bowl.

Place the butter, salt, vanilla extract, sifted icing sugar and boiling water into a large bowl.

  • Starting on a low speed whisk all of the ingredients together.

Starting on a low speed, mix all the buttercream ingredients together, gradually increasing the mixer speed.

  • For the very lightest, creamiest buttercream, continue mixing for 10 minutes. The result will be the dreamiest buttercream icing you will ever have tasted.
  • The addition of very hot water to the buttercream mix, stops it from forming a hard crust.

Decorating The Cupcakes:

  • Fit a large piping bag with the tip of your choice – I used a large French star tip.
  • Fill the bag with buttercream and fold over the top of the bag.
  • Using a circular motion, pipe buttercream in a swirl effect, onto the top of each cupcake.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes swirling, light buttercream, adorns the tops.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
  • Finally top each cupcake with an edible pearl, or edible decoration of your choice.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes an edible pearl provides the finishing touch to these edible treats.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

I hope you’ll agree with me, that these cupcakes are elegantly beautiful ?

Usually I cannot wait to sprinkle edible glitter on, well pretty much anything I bake, but these Vanilla Bean Cupcakes looked so perfect after the addition of the pearl, that I managed to restrain myself.

Resulting in a spectacularly elegant cupcake, that tastes every bit as good as it looks.

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes timeless elegance, in cake form.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

While carrying out a review of a cupcake tin for British Bakeware, I was impressed with how evenly the cupcakes baked. Also the tin washed clean easily in hot soapy water.

These Vanilla Bean Cupcakes did not last very long in our home, although I did give our neighbours a couple. I believe food tastes better when shared. While I only spent 10 minutes with them, we had a lovely catch up chat and they were thrilled with the cupcakes I gave to them.

If you enjoyed this recipe for Vanilla Bean Cupcakes, then I hope you’ll like these too:

Black Forest Cupcakes

V Black Forest Cupcakes
Black Forest Cupcakes chocolate, cherries and dreamy topping.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes 

FF Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Pink Heart Topped White Chocolate Cupcakes 

FF Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Pink Heart Topped White Chocolate Cupcakes

During the winter months especially, weeks, indeed months can easily pass without people living in close proximity, exchanging a word. Furthermore it really is worth taking a few minutes out of each day, once a week, or so, to make the effort to talk to those who live close by.

Are you friendly with your neighbours?

Do you keep a check on elderly or infirm neighbours, especially during the cold, winter months?

Whatever you are making, baking and creating have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

@sammiefeasting Twitter/Instagram

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Black Forest Cupcakes

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Hello there, today we are talking birthdays. Most importantly, birthdays mean cake, lots of it. Shared amongst family and friends in a celebration of us getting another year older. And yes, I hear you, cakes could also be seen as a comfort food, for those of us notching up the years! When I was younger, every year for my birthday I would ask for a Black Forest Gateaux. Especially as the best part was having a slice for breakfast, the day after my birthday. Ooh it tasted so good and my love for this dessert inspired me to make these Black Forest Cupcakes.

Pinterest sized image of Black Forest Cupcakes with descriptive graphics.

 

Also I have added my own little twists, but the basic components stay the same; lighter than light chocolate sponge, dark cherries in glorious deep ruby syrup and a mascarpone cream topping. So, have I got your attention now?

Black Forest Cupcakes

Remembered Flavours

Previously as I’ve mentioned before on this blog, I actually don’t bake cupcakes very often. Such was my craving for the taste of Black Forest Gateaux that I finally conceded to make these Black Forest Cupcakes. 

Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa herself is famous for saying she likes “Rembered flavours.” Since our tastebuds can transport us to various places and times the instant they are tantalised with a remembered flavour.

And Black Forest Cupcakes so do that to me. Memories of birthdays past flooded my brain as I took the first bite. Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe how good these cupcakes are!

Black Forest Cupcakes

 

Using mascarpone and cream for the topping gives these cupcakes a rich, creamy flavour. You can see I haven’t overloaded these cupcakes with topping. A small swirl, topped with a syrupy cherry, is the perfect compliment to the moist, light, chocolate, sponge.

Okay confession time! As soon as these Black Forest Cupcakes had been assembled and had their beauty shots taken, I unashamedly face planted, straight into one. And what’s life without a little fun?! So I had to wash my face, hands afterwards, yet it was totally worth it. So, when you make these, I encourage you to do the same. And have some fun!

Black Forest Cupcakes

Recipe : Makes 18 Black Forest Cupcakes

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter – room temperature

225g/8oz Caster Sugar

1/4tsp Salt

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey 

200g/7oz Plain White Flour

50g/2oz Cocoa – I use Callebaut

2tsp Baking Powder

4 Large Eggs – free range if possible

50ml/2fl oz Milk – whole or semi skimmed

250g/9oz Mascarpone Cheese

150ml/5fl oz Double Cream

1tsp Caster Sugar

375g/10oz Pouch or Tin Good Quality Cherry Pie Filling – alternatively use fresh cherries with the stone removed.

Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4.

Making The Chocolate Cupcake Batter

  • First of all, place 18 cupcake cases into deep cupcake or muffin tins.
  • Then place the butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in to a large bowl.
Whisked butter sugar salt and vanilla extract form the basis of the cupcakes batter.
Whisked butter, sugar, salt and vanilla extract.

 

  • Whisk the butter, sugar, vanilla and salt together until pale and creamy.
  • Sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder together into a separate bowl (dry mix).
  • Add one third of the dry mix to the creamed butter mixture, whisk briefly and then add 2 eggs and whisk again.
  • Repeat the last 2 steps again and then finish by adding the milk and the last of the dry mix. Whisk until fully incorporated.
Chocolate cupcake batter that will form the The Base of each Black Forest Cupcake.
Chocolate cupcake batter.

 

  • Spoon the chocolate batter into each cupcake case. I use a standard ice cream scoop as this ensures each cupcake is the same size.
Using an ice cream scoop to evenly fill each cupcake case.
Filling the cupcake cases.
  • Finally, check that all of the cupcake cases are filled equally.
Cupcake cases filled with chocolate batter ready to be baked and decorated as Black Forest Cupcakes.
Cupcakes ready to be baked.

 

Baking The Cupcakes

  • Place the tins into the middle and lower part of a preheated oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
  • The cupcakes are cooked when pressed lightly on top, the sponge springs back.
Tins containing freshly baked chocolate cupcakes.
Freshly backed chocolate cupcakes.

 

  • As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove from the oven.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the pan and leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.
Chocolate cupcakes cooling on a rack prior to being turned into Black Forest Cupcakes.
Freshly baked chocolate cupcakes cooling on a rack.

Making The Whipped Mascarpone Frosting And Decorating The Cupcakes

  • To make the topping, whisk together the mascarpone, cream and caster sugar until stiffened.
  • This process can easily done by hand, it takes very little time. Also beware of over whisking as the mixture will separate.

 

Black Forest Cupcakes whipped mascarpone topping in a bowl.
Whipped mascarpone cupcake frosting.
  • Fit a large piping bag with a large star tip, I use Wilton 1M. Fill with the mascarpone mixture and pipe small swirls on top of each cupcake.
Swirls of piped mascarpone frosting on top of the chocolate sponge reading to be finished with a cherry and some syrup that completes the Black Forest Cupcakes
Whipped mascarpone topped chocolate cupcakes.
  • Tip the cherry pie filling into a bowl.
  • Use a spoon to place a cherry on top of each of the cupcakes.
  • Finally, go back and drizzle a little of the syrup over each cupcake.
Black Forest Cupcakes

If not eaten immediately, these Black Forest Cupcakes need to be kept refrigerated in an air tight container, where they will keep for up to 3 days.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Black Forest Cupcakes you may also like these:

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Blueberry topped cupcakes.
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Edible pearl topped frosted cupcakes in wintage style cupcake cases on a doilie topped cake stand.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Pink Heart Topped White Chocolate Cupcakes

Cupcakes in pink cupcake cases topped with piped white frosting and a single pink chocolate speckled heart.
Pink Heart Topped White Chocolate Cupcakes

Since I have revealed my birthday cake of choice from my younger years and also today, I would love to know if you’ve had a favourite flavour. Either birthday cakes or remembered flavours from days gone by? And because I love Black Forest flavours so much I also have a gluten free  Black Forest Roulade which you may want to try!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

Chocolate and cherry cupcakes, with whipped cream topping.

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Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

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Hello, I have an incredibly delicious treat for you today, these Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes. I know, I hardly ever post cupcake recipes, except today, I had this big punnet of beautiful, juicy, blueberries sitting in the fridge, waiting to be eaten. And then I noticed the lemons. I love lemon, the flavour, the scent and these lemons are super special – they are called Eureka lemons. What a cool name. So I had a little think to myself (mostly a dangerous pursuit!) and decided it was time to make me some cupcakes.

FF Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Actually, when I say me I mean our family. Because all of us enjoy a cupcake and as I don’t make them very often they really are a treat. Although I must confess that two of these cupcakes didn’t make it throught to the frosting stage, because my daughter and I snaffled one each whilst they were still warm. Mmm. Totally worth it. Jammy pods of sweet, warm blueberry in a moist lemon crumb, yep no guilt felt at all. In fact you could make these and skip the frosting stage completely and they’d still be knockout delicious!

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Warning, the frosting on these Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes totally sends them over the top. Since using fresh lemon juice ensures the frosting is the perfect balance to an already wonderful cupcake. And it adds another dimension of sweet/tart creaminess that simply makes these cupcakes awesome.

I actually had to resist adding some sparkles to these cupcakes, because sparkles?? I held back as the blueberry, polka dot studded frosting looked so pure and, well, perfect. However, If you want to add sprinkles or sparkles, just know I’m good with that.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

Recipe : Makes 12 Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

For The Cupcakes

175g/6oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature

175g/6oz Caster Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey 

1/4tsp Salt

3 Large Free Range Eggs

175g/6oz Plain White Flour

1 1/2tsp Baking Powder – I use Waitrose 

300g/11oz Fresh Blueberries

1 Lemon zest

For The Frosting 

400g/14oz Icing Sugar (Confectioners sugar)

150g/5oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature

3-4tbsp Lemon Juice (from the lemon above)

Making the cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4

  • First of all add the sugar, salt and butter to a large mixing bowl.
  • Whisk together until pale and creamy.

Add the sugar and butter to a bowl.

Whisk together until light and fluffy.

 

  • Add the vanilla extract and 2 eggs and whisk thoroughly.
  • Remove 1 tablespoon of flour, for dusting the blueberries later.
  • Sift in half the flour/baking powder and mix until just combined. I usually do this by hand, or use a low setting on a stand mixer.
  • Add the remaining egg. Stir briefly before adding the remaining sifted, dry ingredients. Mix until everything is just incorporated.

This cake batter is ready for its fruit!

 

  • Keep back enough blueberries to decorate the cupcakes with. Now toss the remaining blueberries in the tablespoon of flour. This will stop them sinking to the bottom of the cupcake whilst baking.
  • Zest the lemon using a grater or, as I have, a lemon zester. Add to the bowl.
  • Stir the batter carefully by hand to avoid breaking up the blueberries.

Add the blueberries and lemon zest.

 

Stir the batter carefully by hand to avoid bursting the blueberries.

 

  • Line a muffin/cupcake tin with 12 cupcake cases.
  • Using an ice cream scoop fill the cases evenly with batter.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Place the Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes in the middle of the preheated oven.
  • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes. The cupcakes are baked when they are golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed.
  • I don’t suggest using a toothpick or skewer to check these particular cupcakes, as they are full of jammy blueberries, the skewer is likely to come out unclean.
  • As soon as the cupcakes are baked remove from the oven.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Leave the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
  • Then place the cupcakes on a cooling rack.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

 

Making the buttercream and icing the cupcakes

  • Place the icing sugar, soft butter and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice into a bowl.
  • Whisk thoroughly adding more lemon juice if the frosting is too thick.

Whisk the butter, icing sugar and lemon juice together until light and fluffy.

  • The whipped buttercream.
  • Fit a nozzle of your choice (I used a large star tip) to a piping bag. I then turn over the outside edges and use a large glass or jug to put my piping bag in whilst I fill it with the frosting. I created a swirl pattern with my frosting.

Starting at the outside edge, frost the cupcake using a circular motion.

  • Start at the outside edge and keeping an even pressure on the piping bag ice the cupcake in a circular motion.
  • Repeat until all of the cupcakes are frosted.

Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Now it’s time to adorn the beautiful, creamy, frosting with the deep, dark, blue, berries that you reserved.
Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes

 

If not served immediately store in an airtight container. During hot weather refrigerate. Eat within 3 days.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes you may also like these:

Black Forest Cupcakes 

FF Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Black Forest Cupcakes

Caramac Frosted Chocolate Cupcakes 

FF Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Caramac Frosted Chocolate Cupcakes

Fresh Raspberry Frosted Lemon Cupcakes 

FF Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes
Fresh Raspberry Frosted Lemon Cupcakes

While enjoying these Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes it is important to me to share. Seeing the pleasure on neighbours and friends faces when you pop round with one of these beauties makes me go all warm and fuzzy inside. Most importantly, it isn’t because of my actions, rather the reaction of seeing the recipient grinning. And, I honestly believe that all food tastes better when shared.

So whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchen, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

 

 

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Super Light Scones

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Hi there, I hope wherever you are the sun is shining on you today. Here in Kent it is beautifully sunny, with a light breeze. Perfect Summer weather. So much so it inspired me to bake Super Light Scones for breakfast this morning.

FF Super Light Scones

Since I don’t make a habit of making scones every morning – in fact, as a general rule I don’t like scones! Well at least the heavy, dense prepackaged ones from the supermarket. I don’t know why, they’re just not my thing. However, it’s Summer and scones with clotted cream and jam are a MUST! And especially the clotted cream has to be Rodda’s from Cornwall!

Super Light Scones, super easy to make and even easier to eat with a dollop of Rodda's clotted cream!
Super Light Scones, super easy to make and even easier to eat with a dollop of Rodda’s clotted cream!

Coming Up With A Great Scone Recipe

This probably sounds crazy, but I trawled through at least 8 cookbooks this morning, as well as looking online, but I just couldn’t find a recipe I was happy with. So I came up with my own! And it worked! I watch enough Food Network UK to have picked up some tips along the way and the Green Goddess (my friend, but unbiased taste tester) gave them the thumbs up – although she would have preferred them a little sweeter. Just trying to keep it honest round here.

Super Light Scones - the quintessential British cream tea.
Super Light Scones – the quintessential British cream tea.

 

I had these Super Light Scones for my breakfast. They are so light with soft flaky layers inside. I didn’t even use a knife to cut them open, they pulled beautifully apart. I now like scones – these ones!

 

Super Light Scones - so light they just pull apart. Delicious!
Super Light Scones – so light they just pull apart. Delicious!

 

If you are not in the UK and wish to have the British cream tea experience, but can’t get hold of clotted cream, Mascarpone cheese would make a good substitute. Alternatively book  a holiday to the UK and stay in Dorset, Devon or Cornwall – cream tea’s are readily available. Although, I admit, it’s a long way to come for a cup of English tea and a cream scone – or maybe not??

Super Light Scones - a very proper English Cream Tea - delish!
Super Light Scones – a very proper English Cream Tea – delish!

Recipe : Makes Approx 20 Super Light Scones

450g/1lb Plain White Flour

3tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Salt

50g/2oz Cold Unsalted Butter

25g/1oz Vegetable Shortening

2tbsp Caster Sugar

250mls/9fl oz Cold Whole Milk

3tbsp Milk – for brushing on top of scones

Method : Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan

Making The Scone Dough

First of all, in a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Add the butter and shortening, use a pastry cutter, or your fingers to work the fat into the flour.
Add the butter and shortening, use a pastry cutter, or your fingers to work the fat into the flour.
Small pea sized lumps of fat should be present in the mixture.
Small pea sized lumps of fat should be present in the mixture.

 

Add the sugar and stir through to mix. Make a well in the middle of the mixture, pour in the milk and stir together using a butter knife (ordinary eating knife).

Stir until the mixture just comes together.
Stir until the mixture just comes together.
Tip the scone dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Tip the scone dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Bring the dough together with your hands. Gently pat the dough out to approx 2.5cm thickness. The less you handle the dough the lighter the scones will be.
Bring the dough together with your hands. Gently pat the dough out to approx 2.5cm thickness. The less you handle the dough the lighter the scones will be.

Cutting Out The Individual Scones

Using a straight sided, floured, 2 inch deep cutter, press straight down through the scone dough. Do not twist the cookie cutter as you press down as this will affect the rise on your scones. Cut out as many scones as possible then collect the pieces of dough together, pat out and cut out more scones until the dough is used up.

Place the cut out scones onto a non stick baking sheet, or line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Place the cut out scones onto a non stick baking sheet, or line a baking tray with parchment paper.

 

Lightly brush the top of each scone with milk. Try to avoid the milk dripping down the side of the scone - as this affects the rise of the scone.
Lightly brush the top of each scone with milk. Try to avoid the milk dripping down the side of the scone – as this affects the rise of the scone.

Baking The Super Light Scones

Place your scones into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The scones are baked when well risen and lightly golden in colour. As soon as they are baked remove from the oven and transfer the scones to a baking rack to cool.

Delicious Super Light Scones - cooling!
Delicious Super Light Scones – cooling!

 

Once cooled, split in half and slather on your favourite jam. For added indulgence add a dollop of clotted cream and some sliced fruit. Enjoy with a refreshing cup of tea.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Super Light Scones you may also enjoy these:

Cheese Bacon Breakfast Muffins 

FF Super Light Scones
Cheese Bacon Breakfast Muffins

Spicy Sausage Rolls 

FF Super Light Scones
Spicy Sausage Rolls

Super Easy Shortbread Cookies

FF Super Light Scones
Super Easy Shortbread Cookies

These are a great treat and perfect for Fathers Day – you could use a larger cutter, just add a couple of minutes onto the baking time.

Most Dads just want to know they are loved. Making or baking them a gift is such a personal way to say I LOVE YOU.

What jam and fruit combo do you like with your scones?

Sammie x

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Strawberries And Cream Cake

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Hi, thank you for stopping by to look at this scrumptious Strawberries And Cream Cake! I hope the sight of it puts a smile on your face. Strawberries in Spring remind me of the promise of sunshine, picnics in the park and days at the beach. Ultimately I think that strawberries are a celebration of warm, sun drenched days, to be shared with friends and family.

FF Strawberries And Cream Cake

Because this cake is so easy to make and looks so beautiful, it easily turns any occasion into a Feast! Since I found strawberries on special offer I baked this cake. Because, they were so sumptuous they deserved celebrating!

FF Strawberries And Cream Cake
Strawberries And Cream Cake

Sometimes during Summer when it is hot, too hot for cake (yes there is such a thing in my world), we eat strawberries as they are, warm from the sun, or refreshingly churned into the most delicious ice cream, see my Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream. While cooler days allow for the indulgence of cake, with vanilla whipped cream and ruby red strawberries.

Recipe : Strawberries And Cream Cake serves 8

For the cake:

225g/8oz Caster Sugar

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter – room temperature (plus a little extra for greasing the tins)

4 Large Free Range Eggs

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon 

225g/8oz Self Raising White Flour – alternatively use the same quantity of Plain White Flour plus 2tsp baking powder

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

For the filling:

450g/1lb Strawberries – hulled and sliced, save 1 pretty strawberry for the top

400ml/3/4 pint Double Cream

1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – alternatively use vanilla extract

1 tbsp Sugar – optional

Method : Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4

While using the ‘All in one’ technique for this cake, which usually involves placing all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisking, I have added an extra step.

Making and baking the sponge cakes

  • First of all grease 2 x 7in (17.5cm) sandwich tins and line the base of each with baking parchment.
  • Next add the butter, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until pale and creamy.
  • Add the vanilla extract and eggs; Note – I always crack eggs into a separate bowl first, any shell is easily removed and one bad egg cannot spoil the cake batter. Also sift the self raising flour (or plain flour and baking powder) into the same bowl.
  • Whisk all of the ingredients together until just combined and smooth. Take care not to overmix the cake batter, as this can result in a heavy sponge.
The All-In-One-Method is a whizz
The All-In-One-Method is a whizz.

 

  • Divide the mixture evenly between the 2 prepared sandwich tins. Smooth the top of the cake batter using the back of a spoon.
Place the tins into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Ready for the oven
  • Place the tins into the centre and lower parts of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • The sponges are baked when they are golden and spring back when lightly pressed in the centre. Also an inserted skewer will come out clean.
  • As soon as the cakes are baked remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in their tins.
  • Turn the cakes out on to a cooling rack and leave to cool completely before filling and decorating. Carefully remove the baking parchment.
Cooling cakes, waiting to be transformed....
Cooling cakes, waiting to be transformed….

Filling and decorating the cake

  • As soon as the cakes have cooled they can be filled and decorated.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the cream, sugar and vanilla bean paste until the cream holds it’s shape. Also, take care not to overmix as this can cause the cream to split, creating butter!
Spread half of the cream onto the bottom cake layer, flat side up.
Bottom half of the cake
  • Place one cake sponge on to a plate or board, flat side up.
  • Spoon half of the whipped cream on to the cake and spread so that it almost comes to the edge.
  • Add a layer of sliced strawberries on to the cream.
Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream.
Strawberries and cream
  • Now place the other cake on top, flat side facing down.
  • Cover the top with the rest of the cream and decorate with sliced strawberries, placing a whole strawberry in the middle.
FF Strawberries And Cream Cake
Strawberries And Cream Cake

Place the finished cake into the fridge for 1 hour, as this allows the cream to firm up and makes slicing easier.

I serve this cake sliced and placed on my best china, with a cup of tea served in a cup and saucer. You may slice and serve this cake however you wish.

Both cake sponges can be made a day ahead, cool and store in an airtight container, using baking parchment to separate them. Yet the cake is best assembled on the day of eating.

As with all cream cakes they are at their best on the day they are made. Wrap any leftover cake in cling film, alternatively place in an airtight container and store in the fridge. Eat within 2 days of assembling.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Strawberries And Cream Cake you may also like these:

Summer Mixed Berry Sponge Cake 

FF Strawberries And Cream Cake
Summer Mixed Berry Sponge Cake

Strawberry Topped Chocolate Heart Pavlova 

FF Strawberries And Cream Cake
Strawberry Topped Chocolate Heart Pavlova

Double Strawberry Almond Muffins 

FF Strawberries And Cream Cake
Double Strawberry Almond Muffins

 

While I love baking, sharing my finished bakes gives me the most pleasure. Since, I delight in seeing the anticipation and a happy face as someone enjoys something I’ve made. Finally, remember, before slicing into this cake I urge you to take a photo! Because, when you look at this cake in the deepest, darkest, depths of an icy winter, it will remind you that sunny days are ahead. Hope is powerful, even when it is in the form of cake!

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie x

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy.

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