Continuing with cupcakes...

So my last blog post was talking about the humble cupcake, focusing on my personal favourite: the red velvet. Today I'm going to reveal five of my other favourites!

1) The Cappuccino

 So who doesn't like the taste of coffee? Well, I suppose you get a few... But I love the subtle taste of coffee in a good buttercream icing. Try using cream in your buttercream,  really adds to the richness of the icing. I always find that a simple chocolate cupcake goes best, you don't want to overdo it on the coffee! A subtle taste coming through as you bite in is all you really need!I tend to also decorate with grated dark chocolate,  yummmm....







2) The 'non' Ferrero Roche cupcake...

I'm beginning  to feel as if this cupcake is becoming a tad overdone... So instead of doing the traditional one (using the actual Ferrero Roche balls) I decided to create my own version. I start off with a rich chocolate cupcake and use some hazelnut essence. Hidden in the center is a glob of Nutella with a hazelnut inside.  Then I created a Nutella buttercream icing (you could just eat it by the bowl!)

And topped the cupcake with crushed hazelnuts and wafer and then used a whole wafer for flair. Not quite a traditional method but I can assure you that they taste like the real thing when you take a large bite, yum!




3) The Oreo cupcake

 I had always wanted to try this one out so when a friend requested them for his birthday,  I just could not resist! Made with a dark chocolate cupcake the trick to this is to put an oreo cookie on the bottom of the paper and pour the mixture in on top and then bake. The icing is made out of crushed oreo cookies (filling and all!) And a simple

Buttercream recipe. Stick in half a cookie for decor and you have yourself a delicious cupcake to be enjoyed anytime!






4) The Topdeck Cupcake

Like it's namesake,  this cupcake is dual flavour. The cupcake itself is a vanilla and chocolate but the icing is what makes this special. I use a white and milk chocolate buttercream swirl on the top (you HAVE to use good quality chocolate if you're going to do this, cooking chocolate is awful!) And then drizzle with a dark chocolate ganache. Result? Delicious moist cupcakes that makes you want to lick the icing off first!

And finally...

5) My speciality cupcake

I call this my speciality cupcake for no other reason than that it's ordered a lot and is usually simple but effective! Generally when people ask me for vanilla and chocolate cupcakes I ask them if they would like me to swap the icing around (white on choc, choc in vanilla). Usually the answer is yes and thus my specialty cupcake. Using a

Vanilla cupcake with a hint of lemon, and a fluffy chocolate cupcake, I top these with white choc and choc fudge buttercreams. Toppings may differ but I always find a way of sticking in my signature dark chocolate (drizzled with white) tempered crisps!



Well that's all for today, be back soon with more cakes!

The humble cupcake

So what GENIUS came up with the idea of bite size cakes that you can pop into your mouth, icing and all, and not even need a fork?

Personally, I love cupcakes. Yes, they're simple to make and don't require a heck load of skill, but there's so much you can do with them and they don't take all day to do!!

I have a lot of favourites. Definitely red velvet is my favourite. Don't fall for the pretenders, a real red velvet has a mild chocolatey taste and is soft and aerated. The buttermilk gives it a lovely texture and then there's that combination of vinegar and bicarbonate that adds something different. I have a foolproof recipe that has never let me down yet and makes a deep delish red colour that looks so impressive.

And then there's that divine cream cheese icing. I don't fool around on this,  I love using an icing made with cream cheese,  mascapone and fresh cream. Melt in your mouth and sinful, what's not to love?

So that's my favourite cupcake, but I do some others too... Keep tuned for more

Muffin' much about it

So a few years ago I decided to really get into my baking. I had always enjoyed it and been complimented on my goods so I figured refining my talents wouldn't be a bad thing. I'm 100% self taught and am currently working in a closet sized kitchen with a 25 year old stove, which equals a heck load of trial and error but slowly I am getting there!

Baking is my stress reliever and I absolutely love to learn new techniques and try them. I'm always learning and making mistakes but slowly I'm getting better and better.

Recently I have decided to start selling my goods more commercially and opened my business on the side called Muffin Top Cakes and Desserts. I'm going to document some of my successes and mishaps, so sit back and enjoy!