RECIPE: BIRTHDAY PARTY FAIRY CAKES

Today is Mr G's birthday and looking at these cakes, anyone would think that he has just turned 5! Actually, the request was from the kids and since it is kids that enjoy birthdays more (who wants to be reminded that they are getting old), I made these fairy cakes to commensurate Mr G’s birthday and to appease the munchkins (sorry....I have been copping an ear bashing of 'The Wizard of Oz' this past few days....the joys of school holidays!) .

So here you go Mr G, happy birthday and many happy returns of the day.

This is one of the easiest cupcake recipes I have made and it turns out perfect every time. Make sure that the butter is softened and eggs are at room temperature (in other words, remove from fridge an hour or so before making the cupcakes). All you do is put it into a large mixing bowl and beat until combined. I used a Kenwood mixer and it took all of 30 secs for the batter to be ready. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients – makes 24 cupcakes

225 g margarine or butter (I used butter) – softened not melted
225 g caster sugar
4 eggs – I used xl (800 g) eggs
225 g self raising flour – sifted

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line bun tray or medium muffin pan with cupcake paper cases.


Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with electric beaters until combined. Evenly spoon the mixture into the paper cases and make for 15 to 20 mins.


Note: I turned my fan forced oven down to 170°C, turned the tray around on the 8 minute mark and the cupcakes were ready on the 15 minute mark.

Icing

175 g butter – softened
350 g icing sugar
Decorations – optional

Method

Beat the butter until fluffy. Sift in the icing sugar and beat together until smooth and creamy. Decorate as desired.


Note: I used only 325 g sugar and added 4 tsp hot water (from the tap) as I like my icing to be ‘softer’. I then added some colouring to the icing and used some mixed cachous (cake decoration balls) to decorate (some of) the cupcakes.