I heard a vicious rumour the other day. Apparently cupcake are very uncool. I beg to differ. What could possibly be uncool about a cake, usually quite pretty, that you get entirely to yourself and comes in a cute little wrapper that catches the crumbs?
The only thing I don't like about cupcakes is it's more obvious when you take a second one than when you slice another slither from a whole cake.
When I bought the fairy floss from the Noosa Farmers Markets last week I instantly thought cupcakes. Seeing as it was strawberry and macadamia fairy floss, strawberry icing was in order. I've also been on the hunt for the perfect traditional cupcake recipe for ages - this was the next recipe on my list to try.
I was hesitant about the mandarin juice I must admit but as I had a fruit bowl full of mandarins I gave it a try. There wasn't a hint of mandarin in the final cupcake, just classic vanilla goodness.
They weren't try at all, didn't stick to the paper and were very tasty.
These cupcakes are super simple to make and if you want to make it even easier, you can just throw all the ingredients in a food processor and whiz them together until nice and smooth.
I used my electric mixer. Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth.
Add the eggs and vanilla and beat them through until they're very well mixed in.
Take the bowl off the stand and stir through half the flour.
Add half of the juice and stir it through then repeat to use up the rest of the flour and juice. Stir it until everything is just combined. You don't want to over-stir it.
Divide the batter between the patty-cake cases (about ⅔ full) and bake the cupcake for 15-20 minutes at 180C fan-forced.
The cakes are done when a cake tester comes out clean and they are nice and golden on top.
Leave the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack.
To make the icing, use an electric mixer and beat the butter until it's smooth then add the icing sugar. Once it is almost mixed in, add the strawberries and beat until it is nice and smooth. If it's too thick, add a little bit of milk.
Spread the cooled cupcakes with icing.
Top the cupcakes with a piece of fairy floss. Don't add the fairy floss until the last minute though because it will start to dissolve into the icing. I finished mine off with a sprinkle of edible glitter.
The fairy floss doesn't last on top very long but the cupcakes were still good two days later. You could make them a day in advance and ice them on the day and they'd be perfect.
Enjoy!
So what about you? Do you still enjoy cupcakes or have you moved on?
Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup freshly squeeze mandarin or orange juice
- 2 eggs
- 125 g 4.5oz unsalted butter, chopped
- ¾ cup caster superfine sugar
- 225 g self-raising flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 6 strawberries mashed
- fairy floss to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C (356F) fan-forced and line a muffin tin with cupcake cases.
- Beat the butter and sugar together in an electric mixer until light and creamy.
- Add the eggs and the vanilla and beat until they're well mixed in.
- Take the bowl off the stand (or you can do it on the stand if you like) and using a wooden spoon, alternate stirring in the the juice with the flour and mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter between the cupcake case and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Leave the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack.
- Make the icing by beating the butter with an electric mixer then adding the icing sugar. Add the strawberries and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Add milk if the icing is too thick.
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
I love your cupcakes Claire!!! What could be better than fairy floss and cupcakes! Especially with strawberry frosting.
Claire says
Thanks Jen!
vanessalilllian says
I think cupcakes are still cool, and if they're not, I'm totally okay with being uncool! Yours look so pretty :)
Claire says
We can create the uncool cupcake club!
Corrie says
Very pretty and the little paper cups are so cute too!
Claire says
Thanks Corrie!
Jessica says
These are so fun and girly! Cupcakes will always be in style.
Claire says
I hope so Jessica!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Claire, just the name has me loving these little beauties already! Then your pictures took me over the top! Yum, yum they look fabulous!
Claire says
Thanks Chris! It does conjure up happy thoughts doesn't it?!
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
I told Genevieve that I saw her Spun fairy floss on your cupcakes. I tried baking it in meringues once. It was a fail. I've topped it on other desserts successfully though. I love it.
Claire says
Yes I think it's better for topping. Such a pretty finish to a sweet treat!
Paul Loxley says
Hi Claire - your cupcakes look amazing - wish I had one (or maybe 2) for dessert right now. So glad you incorporated our natural fairy floss into your presentation. We had yummy Blueberry, Mango, Lemon-Lime and some other new flavours at the markets yesterday. Hope to see you at Noosa Farmers Market for some more floss soon.
Paul
Spun Fairy Floss
Claire says
Thanks Paul! I was about to contact you but you beat me to it. It was delicious! I've save a little for another creation soon.
Katy Potaty says
Of course I still love cupcakes - in fact I love ALL mini desserts! Everything is better when it's cuter and smaller!
The fairy floss on top is such a gorgeous touch, Claire!
Claire says
So true Katie! Thank you.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
No way are cupcakes uncool! That's just a vicious rumour started by the Whoopie Pie Club*. These look great! I have those liners too and they're so adorable :)
*I have no idea if there is a Whoopie Pie Club but wouldn't it be hilarious if there was and they started the rumour? ;)
Claire says
and backed up by the cake pop society!
Hotly Spiced says
What gorgeous looking cupcakes. I was wondering what you'd use your fairy floss for. Great idea with the cupcakes because it gives them good height and they look gorgeous. Edible glitter? I've got to get out more. Never heard of it but it is so pretty xx
Claire says
It's pretty isn't it. I'm actually not sure where I got it. I was digging in the cupboard for inspiration and found it!
celia says
I must confess, I've never been a fan of cupcakes. Yours look very pretty though, especially with that gorgeous fairy floss! :)
Claire says
My grandma doesn't like them either. She says they're usually too dry!