Tag: cupcakes

Chocolate muffins

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 25 minutes + 20 minutes baking

Serves: 12

Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
1 cup caster sugar
¾ cup chocolate chips
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup plain yoghurt
½ cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup chocolate chips

 

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Muffins are a great thing to bake with little chefs. There are loads of fun steps they can get involved with – from measuring and mixing, to spooning the mixture into the cases. The kids loved how much these rose in the oven, and we all enjoyed eating the chocolatey deliciousness of course!

Method

Preheat your oven to 200C and prepare a muffin tin

Get your toddler to line a muffin tin with cases or grease every corner of it with oil and butter if you have no cases to make sure the muffins don’t stick.

Mix the dry ingredients together

Get your child to measure each of the dry ingredients (2 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, ¾ cup chocolate chips, ½ cup cocoa, 1 tsp baking powder) in turn and add to a large mixing bowl.

  

Give it a good mix.

 

Whisk the wet ingredients together

Add the vanilla extract (1 tsp), egg, yoghurt (1 cup), milk (1/2 cup)and vegetable oil (1/2 cup)to a separate mixing bowl.

 

 

Whisk it all together until it is well combined.

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients

Get your child to help you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl and mix it together just enough so you can’t see any more flour. It’ll still be a little lumpy but that’s fine.

 

Bake the chocolate muffins

Spoon your mixture into your muffin tin/cases. If you let your kids help with this step be prepared for a bit of mess! I let the kids half fill up the cases then finished it off myself so there was an even amount in each muffin.

 
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick or skewer poked into the centre comes out clean.

chocolate muffins
Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing and leaving on a wire rack to cool completely.

chocolate muffins

 

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Rainbow cupcakes

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty: A wee bit harder

Time: 45 minutes + 25 minutes baking

Serves: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients
120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1.5 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter, softened
120ml whole milk
1 egg
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Food colouring

For the vanilla frosting
250g icing sugar
80g unsalted butter, softened
25ml whole milk
A few drops of vanilla extract
Sprinkles

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Strawberry cupcakes

 

The kids love making cupcakes so I’ve been looking for new ways of making them a bit different. I saw some fun rainbow cupcakes on pintrest and thought the kids would enjoy them (or just make a colourful mess of the kitchen!) They were easier than I thought to make – just find your favourite cupcake recipe, and add some colour before you put them into the cupcake cases. We used all the colours in the rainbow but you could use just a few and they would still look good.

We used food colouring we had in the house but it turns out not all were suitable for baking so faded a bit. The best ones to use are good quality pastes or gels like these Wilton ones. I think we’ll have to get some the next time we are in Hobbycraft!

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C and prepare your baking tray
Get your little ones to fill a muffin tray with paper cupcake cases.

Mix the dry ingredients together
Get your child to measure the flour (120g) into a small bowl then add it into a mixing bowl or freestanding mixer.

If they are able to, get your little one to spoon the baking powder (1.5 tsp) into the mixing bowl. If they don’t have a steady enough hand yet, let them help you level it off before adding it in. Add the pinch of salt.
Add the butter (40g) to the mixing bowl. Your wee one can help measure this out. If it’s not soft enough, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds, just so it mixes easily.

  

Mix everything together using your paddle attachment, (or a handheld whisk or wooden spoons) until it is a sandy consistency.

Add the wet ingredients
Measure the milk (120ml) into a cup or measuring jug. The best way to be accurate is to use the ‘ml’ setting on digital scales if you have them.

Get your little one to add half the milk to your flour mixture, and beat it together until it has just incorporated.

 

Break the egg into a small dish. Doing it this way, is a good way to let your little one practice without worrying about the shell. Add it to the remaining milk.

Get your little one to add the vanilla extract (¼ tsp)to the milk and give it all a little whisk.

Pour into the flour mixture and give it all a good mix until everything it is well mixed into a nice, smooth batter.

 

Make the cupcakes
To make the rainbow cupcakes, divide the batter mixer into 6 small bowls (or however many colours you are using). Add a few drops of colour to each bowl and give it a mix until the colour has incorporated.

   

Get your little ones to spoon a dollop of each colour into each paper case. Don’t worry too much about how even the colours all are – Hannah and Lewis just had fun make a colourful mess! Give the edges of your baking tray a little wipe before you put them in the oven if there is a lot of batter mess.

 
Bake the rainbow cupcakes
Pop the cupcakes in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t go too brown on top. They ready when the sponge bounces back when you touch it or if a metal skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Remove from the oven, leave them to cool slightly in the baking tray then turn them out on to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the icing
Get your toddler to measure the icing sugar (250g) out into a small bowl. Add it carefully to your mixer.

Measure the butter (80g), soften it if you need to for a few seconds in the microwave. Add it to your mixer.

Mix everything together slowly at first and then on a medium setting until the butter and sugar come together.

While it’s mixing, get your little one to measure the milk (25ml) out into a cup or measuring jug. Add a few drops of vanilla extract.

Slowly add the milk to your icing mixture, stirring it all the time. Once the milk has been incorporated turn the speed up to a high speed and mix it for a few minutes.

The longer you beat it, the lighter and fluffier the icing becomes.

Spread it on to your cupcakes with a spoon or palette knife. Get your little ones to add some sprinkles on top of your rainbow cupcakes for a nice finishing touch.

rainbow cupcakes

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Peaches and cream cupcakes

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 30 minutes + 25 minutes baking

Serves: 12-15 cupcakes

 

 

 

 

Ingredients
120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
A pinch of salt
40g softened butter, unsalted
120ml whole milk
1 egg
¼ tsp vanilla extract
400g tin peaches
For the vanilla frosting
250g icing sugar
80g softened butter, unsalted
25ml whole milk
A few drops of vanilla extract

 

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These peaches and cream cupcakes are another recipe from my new Hummingbird Bakery cookbook. It was a bit different for the kids putting the peaches into the cupcakes, and a bit of a first for me too. It added a freshness to the cupcakes which was nice but made them a little harder to eat than your average cupcake. Next time we might try popping the fruit in the middle rather than at the bottom of the cupcakes.

Method

Preheat the oven to 170C and line a muffin tray with cupcake cases.

This is a great thing for the littlest kitchen helpers to do.

 

Mix the dry ingredients together
Get your child to measure the sugar (140g) and flour (120g) out and then add it into a large mixing bowl or freestanding mixer. While they are doing that add the baking powder (1 ½ tsp) and salt (pinch).

Measure the butter (40g) and get your child to cut it up slightly before adding it into your bowl.

Mix everything together slowly using a paddle attachment, wooden spoons or a handheld mixer until it is a sandy texture.
 

Add the rest of the ingredients
Measure out the milk. We popped our jug on the scales and set it to ml to get an accurate reading and Hannah slowly poured the milk in until I told her to stop.

Add half the milk (120ml) to the mixing bowl and mix it until the milk has just been incorporated.

 

Add the egg to the remaining milk. Break it into a separate bowl first if you are worried about shell. Measure the vanilla extract (¼ tsp).

Give it all a quick mix then add to the flour mixture.

  

Beat it all together until it is well mixed (a few minutes). Use a spatula to scrape any unmixed ingredients down from the edge of the bowl if you need to.

Make the cupcakes
Chop the peaches into small pieces. This is a good way for your toddler to practice cutting using a blunt knife. Don’t worry if your child fancies helping themselves to the peaches – a lot of ours ended up in Hannah’s tummy but there was plenty left for the cupcakes.

Divide the peaches among the paper cases so the base of each is covered.

 

Spoon the cupcake mixture on top until each case is about two-thirds full. We had enough to make 15 cupcakes. As you can see we made a wee bit of mess doing this, so I just wiped down the tray before it went in the oven so the spilt bits didn’t burn.

 

Bake the cupcakes
Pop in the oven for 20-25 minutes. They’re ready when they look golden brown and the sponge bounces back if you press lightly down on them.

 

Cool them in the tin slightly before turning them out on to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ice the peaches and cream cupcakes
Measure the icing sugar out into a bowl (be careful, it’s messy!) Weigh the butter and add it both to a mixing bowl or your freestanding mixer.

  

Make sure the lid is on and start to beat the sugar and icing together until it is well combined.

Turn the speed right down and get your toddler to pour the milk in slowly. While they are doing this add the vanilla extract.

To finish, turn the speed right up to high and continue to mix it for at least five minutes until it’s light and fluffy. The longer you mix it the fluffier it will be.

Get your toddler to add the icing to each cupcake. We found it easiest with a small palette knife but you could use a teaspoon or regular knife if you don’t have one.

 

Enjoy! The peaches and cream cupcakes will keep for a day or so in an air tight container.
peaches and cream cupcakes

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Snowman cupcakes

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty:Easy

Time:15 minutes + 16 minutes baking + 10 minutes decorating

Serves:12 cupcakes

Ingredients

250g (8oz) caster sugar
250g (8oz) unsalted butter, softened
4 eggs
250g (8oz) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the snowmen
24 white marshmallows
125g (4oz) butter, softened
250g (8oz) icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
6 matchmakers
Drawing icing pens

 

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Hannah and I were looking for something festive to take to her Playgroup’s Christmas cake sale and found these adorable snowmen cupcakes. The cupcake is pretty straightforward – you could use any cupcake recipe you like, and just add the snowmen on top. They were simple and fun to make and were a hit at the cake sale.

Method

Pre heat the oven to 150C / 130C fan and prepare your baking tin
Get your toddler to line a 12 hole cupcake tin with paper cases. Use festive colours if you have them.

 

 

Mix the butter and sugar

Get your toddler to measure out the sugar (250g) and add it into a large mixing bowl (we used our stand mixer.)

Measure out the butter (250g), cut it into small pieces and add it to your bowl. If it’s not soft (ie left out of your fridge for a while) give it a tiny blast in your microwave – a few seconds or so – just so it’s easier to mix.

  

Beat the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. If you don’t have a stand mixer use a hand-held whisk, or even just a wooden spoon.

 

Add the eggs

Get your toddler to break the eggs, one and a time, into a separate bowl. Add to your butter/sugar mixture and beat again after each addition.

 

Add the dry ingredients

Measure out the flour (250g) then add to your bowl. Add the baking powder (1/2 tsp) and vanilla extract (1tsp). Give everything one last stir with a large spoon until it’s just combined. We just used our mixer on its lowest speed as Hannah was enjoying using it!

  

 

Bake the cakes Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cupcakes are a nice golden brown colour and spring back when you lightly touch them.

Cool them in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

  

Ice the cupcakes

Get your toddler to measure out the butter (125g) and icing sugar (250g), then add to a large mixing bowl. Beat them together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract (1/2 tsp) and beat again until well mixed.

  

Using a small palette knife (or a butter knife or the back of a spoon) spread the butter icing over each of the cooled cupcakes.

Make sure there is a little bit left to stick the snowmen together!

Make the snowmen

Stick two white marshmallows together using a little icing.

Break the matchmakers into four pieces and insert one on each side of the bottom marshmallow to make the snowman’s arms.

Draw faces on the top marshmallow using icing pens, or use a small piece of candied peel for the nose if you have it.

Carefully press each snowman on to the top of a cupcake.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

snowman cupcakes

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Chocolate cupcakes

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty:Easy

Time: 30 minutes + 15 minutes baking

Serves: 12 cupcakesimg_3335-small

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

115g soft margarine/butter
110g caster sugar
225g self raising flour
2 large eggs
2 tbsp cocoa powder
25g plain chocolate

Lemon buttercream
85g butter
150g icing sugar
Grated rind of 1 lemon,
1 tbsp lemon juice

 

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We fancied doing a bit of baking while waiting in for a delivery recently so needed to do something we had all the ingredients for in the store cupboard. Rather than doing anything too plain we tried these chocolate cupcakes which have a tangy lemon butter cream. They were supposed to be butterfly cakes where you cut the top off before adding the buttercream then popping the lid back on top to look like a butterfly but I simplified it a bit instead.

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C / 170C Fan and prepare the baking tin
Get your toddler to line a muffin tin with paper cases.

img_3337-small
Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl
One at a time, get your child to weigh the sugar and flour into a bowl then add in to your large bowl.

Weigh the butter, cut into a few pieces before adding to your bowl.

img_3342-small img_3344-small

Get your child to crack the eggs into a small bowl before adding to your mixture.

Spoon the cocoa powder into the mixing bowl.

img_3346-small img_3347-small img_3349-small

Mix everything together until the mixture is smooth

Melt the chocolate – we normally pop it in the microwave but you can do it in a bowl over some simmering water. Add it to your mixture

img_3354-small img_3358-small

Cook the cupcakes

Divide the mixture equally between your cases then pop your baking tray in the oven.

Bake for 15 minutes or until they are cooked and springy to touch. Transfer to a wire rack to and leave to cool.

img_3361-small img_3362-small img_3364-small

Make the icing
Get your child to weigh the butter then either beat it with a wooden spoon or pop in your mixer until it is pale and fluffy.

Weigh the icing sugar into a bowl then gradually add to your butter, mixing all the time.
Add the rind from your lemon and the lemon juice, beating well.

img_3365-small img_3367-small img_3373-small

Finish the chocolate cupcakes

To save time, we just piped the icing straight on to the top of the cooled cupcakes. If you want to make butterfly cakes use a serrated knife to cut the top off each cake then cut each cake top in half. Add the butter cream to the cake then get your child to help you push the two pieces of cake top into the icing to form a butterfly.

chocolate cupcakes

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Strawberry cupcakes

Posted on by cookingwithmykids

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 30 minutes + 25 minutes baking

Serves: 12 cupcakes


 

 

 

Ingredients

150g butter
150g golden caster sugar
3 eggs
150g self raising flour
½ tsp baking powder
4-5 strawberries

For the icing
300g icing sugar
75g butter
Pink food colouring
Strawberry flavour
Strawberries to decorate

 

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We have lots of strawberries in the house now that it’s summer (kind of) and berry season. I found this recipe for strawberry cupcakes on Baking Mad’s website and thought would be a good one to try. It’s nice and easy and we got to do a bit of piping which is a first for Hannah!

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C / 160C Fan and prepare your baking tin
Get your kids to help you line a cupcake tin with 12 cases.

 

Cream the butter and sugar together
Weigh the butter and cut it into small pieces before adding it to a large bowl.
Get your child to measure the sugar into a small bowl, and add it to the butter. Cream the butter and sugar together with a wooden spoon until it’s smooth, light and creamy.

 


Add the eggs and flour
Break the eggs into a separate bowl then add them in to the mixture. Beat them in gradually until the mixture is smooth.
Weigh the flour then add it to the bowl with the baking powder.

 


Add the strawberries
Chop the strawberries (your child may be able to help do this with a blunt knife) then add them into your mixture and give everything one final mix.

 

 

Spoon the mixture into your cases.

 


Bake the cupcakes
Pop your cupcakes in the oven for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown and just firm to touch.


Make the icing
Add the icing sugar into a bowl. Weigh the butter then add it in as well as a drop or two of the colouring and strawberry flavouring and give it a good stir until it is smooth. We added a drop or 2 of hot water to help it come together.

 

Add the icing into a piping bag (we don’t have one so made do with a piping syringe). Pipe a swirl on each cupcake – Hannah tried but found it a bit difficult on her own so you may need to help.

 

Add a strawberry on top and enjoy!

strawberry cupcakes

 

The strawberry cupcakes should keep for a day or so in an airtight container.

*You can use dried strawberries instead of fresh ones and the flavour if you have them. You need about 20g – ground them up and add 15g into the cake mixture and 5g into the icing.

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