Malteser Cupcakes

I've been desperate to make Malteser Cupcakes for AGES so I've been trawling the net to find recipes.

Came across this recipe for the sponge http://www.shecookssheeats.co.uk/2011/10/malteser-cupcakes.htm.  Unfortunately I didnt read it properly and cooked the cakes for my usual 18 minutes so they were slightly dry as I notice they should be cooked for 12-15 minutes.  I'd try that the next time.

I didnt really fancy the icing so I decided to try and make it up as I went along.

5oz unsalted butter (softened)

9oz icing sugar

1oz Ovaltine (or other malted drink)

1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

I mixed this al together then decided I wanted more Malteser-ish flavour so added another Tbsp of Cocoa Powder and some more Ovaltine (prob about 2 tbsp).  So it was all a bit random but it tasted nice!

I crushed up some Maltesers and put them in the frosting then made the mistake of trying to pipe the icing onto the cakes!! Not a good idea as the crushed up Maltesers got stuck in the piping nozzle!  I ended up scooping the icing out of the bag and into a new bag with a plain round nozzle but that wasn't too successful either so I then ended up using a palette knife to try and make them look a bit nicer!  It was all a bit messy but the bottom line was that they tasted lovely and everyone from work enjoyed them! 

I will put a picture on soon.

Caramel Cupcakes

These are the Caramel Cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days book.  Very popular with the girls in the office!

Butterscotch Pecan Cheesecake

OK I know the presentation leaves a little to be desired but it tasted great - honest!

More decorations...

Where it all started - cupcake decorating classes

Aaaahhh

Well I am a total novice to blogging but everyone has to start somewhere.  Have recently become addicted to food blogs - particularly CAKE BLOGS!!! I can spend a whole night looking at them.  I don't quite think my husband can understand why I do this and where my addiction has suddenly come from but basically I've always liked baking but recently I just can't seem to stop myself!!

I got the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook for Christmas and am working my way through it!!  Then myself and some friends went on a Cupcake Decorating course and now there is no stopping us.

I decided to let my colleagues at work try out my attempts at recreating the recipes and it's all going well.  But rather than letting them have them for free I decided to sell them - for charity of course - and have made well over £100 in just over a month.  I have the help of some colleagues so it's a good team effort.  We have some new recruits for the coming months so are coming up with some new ideas.

Watch this space!