For most of my recipes I try as much as possible to avoid cane sugar and use unrefined sugars like maple syrup or honey. But there are some recipes that it is just impossible to substitute the sugar. This one for example. I have tried making these cupcakes with honey and maple syrup but they do not rise as well and are nowhere near as fluffy. So be warned this recipe contains sugar and in my opinion a lot of it. But life is meant to be lived and these cupcakes are only baked on special occasions 🙂
For the Cupcakes
2 Cups of Self Raising Flour
3/4 Cup of Plain Flour
200 g of Butter (room temperature)
1 3/4 of Cups of Caster Sugar
4 Large Eggs (room temperature)
1 Cup of Milk
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Using a bench top mixer beat the butter and gradually add the sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Add eggs one at a time and beat in between each addition (making sure to keep the mixer on a medium speed so you don’t split the batter). Combine the flours in a small bowl. Add half the flour and half the milk and continue to mix on a low-speed until combined. Add remaining flour, milk and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and beat on a medium speed until batter is smooth (2-3 minutes). Make sure you do not over beat the mixture as the cupcakes will not rise as well if you do. Divide batter between cupcake liners (24 small or 18 medium). Bake in a 180 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before icing.
For the Icing
1 Teaspoon Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Hot Water
2 Cups of Icing Sugar
Pour the hot water over the butter and stir until melted and combined. Add the vanilla and icing sugar. Stir until smooth. If the mixture is too thick add a little more hot water and if too runny add a little more icing sugar. This is a plain version of the icing but to flavour it up a little leave out the butter and substitute the hot water for orange juice, lemon juice or even strained passion fruit or raspberries. Smooth icing over your cooled cupcakes and watch them disappear.
Enjoy 🙂
Lisa
