Mother's Day Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes

I have decided to get ready for Mother's Day which is March 18th in England this year. Most of my favourite cupcake recipes include fruit, nuts and healthy ingredients. I must say that I prefer cupcakes that are not too sweet so these Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes are moist tasty and have a sharp edge but they look quite nice as well. They could be served on a nice presentation plate decorated with fresh Spring flowers and some tasty Basil leaves. You may be able to get some other fresh herbs to put on them and add some small portions of fresh fruit or Mini Fruit Sticks especially if you are having a party.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups--5 oz--175 gm self-raising flour

1/2 cup--4 oz--110 gm butter or margarine

1/2 cup--4 oz--110gm castor sugar

2 medium eggs

1 large lemon with the juice extracted

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 large cooking apple such as a Bramley or 2 eating apples of your choice, peeled, cored and chopped into very fine pieces(see the photo above) Toss the apples in the rest of the lemon juice.

Method

Beat together the sugar and butter or margarine. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Add 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Add the flour and cinnamon, mix together.

Put the cupcake cases in the trays. Small cases makes about 15 or larger cases makes about 8. If you want more cupcakes double the ingredients especially if using large cupcake cases.

Put half the mixture in each cupcase. Sprinkle in some chopped apple into each cupcake.(see photograph above). Put the rest of the mixture on top(see photograph. Small cupcakes cook at gas 5, 190 C, 375F for 10---12 minutes, large cupcakes take 20 minutes at the same temperature.

Apple Cinnamon cupcakes straight out the oven. I then made an apple sauce to go into each cupcake. I cut a cone out of the cupcakes and added a spoonful of apple and cinnamon sauce. I put the top back on and dusted with white icing sugar and ground cinnamon,

I also used different coloured cupcake cases, which I think enhance the cupcakes. These are some patterned ones I got and they are all large size. You can buy these cupcake cases in all sorts of sizes and colours.

Apple and Cinnamon Sauce recipe

Use the chopped apples left over from the cupcakes. If you have used them all take 2 more small apples or 1 large . Peel and core the apple. Chop it into small pieces. Put the apple pieces into a pan, add a tablespoon of water and sugar to taste. Simmer until the apples are soft and tasty. Mix 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Arrowroot with about 1 teaspoon of cold water. When this is mixed add it to the apples. It should thicken and make a transparent jelly like sauce. Let it cool and use to fill the cupcakes.

Check out the Archives, the labels below link to other recipes and the cupcake store for more ideas. Enjoy and comment .

Date and Peanut Cupcakes

Another recipe find Date and Peanut Cupcakes
Ingredients
60 gm--2 oz butter or margarine
1/4 cup--2 oz sugar
1 egg
1 cup--4 oz self raising flour
1/2 cup--2 1/2 oz chopped dates
2 tablespoons--1 oz salted peanuts, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice--use fresh
1/2 bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon of boiling water
Method
Beat butter and sugar together
Add the egg and mix
Fold in the sieved flour
Put the dates, peanuts and orange juice into a separate bowl and mix well
Add to the butter mixture and fold in
Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in the boiling water
Quickly sprinkle over the mixture and fold in well
Put into cupcake cases. This makes about 10 to 14 when two thirds full.
Cook at 190C, 375F, gas 5 for 17 to 20 minutes

For more recipes for cupcakes check out the following
Archives
Labels
Cupcake Store

There are at least 50 more ideas for all types of recipe and ways to decorate cupcakes
Enjoy Crazycupcakes

Walnut and Pumpkin Cupcakes

I found this recipe for Walnut and Pumpkin Cupcakes.
Ingredients
60gm--2 oz butter or margarine
1/4 cup--20z castor sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
3/4 cup--6 oz cooked or canned mashed pumpkin,cold
1 egg
2 1/2 cups--10 oz self-raising flour
1/2 cup--2 oz walnuts
1/2 cup 4 fl oz milk
Method
Beat butter and sugar together
Add the cinnamon, pumpkin, egg and beat well.
Fold in one third of walnuts, flour, milk and then a second third and then the last.
Put into cupcake cases about two thirds full
Bake at 220C, 425F gas 7 for 12 to 15 minutes.
Test with cocktail stick.
Decorate when cool

Coconut and Lemon cupcakes

Cupcakes Recipes Uncovered

I have been doing the rounds of the Charity shops locally and got lots of old baking books at next to nothing. These places are a great source of books from the past 60s 70s 80s and before. I have found these cupcake recipes. Try them out and get back to me with how they went.

Coconut lemon Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups--8oz self-raising flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
90gm--3oz butter or margarine chopped
1/3 cup--3 oz castor sugar(fine)
1/3 cup--1oz desiccated coconut
2 teaspoons of grated lemon rind
1 egg
2 tablespoons of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence or 1 pod
Method
Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
Rub in the butter until fine.
Add the sugar, coconut, lemon rind and mix well.
Beat the egg with the milk and the vanilla and mix into the coconut mixture.
Add extra milk if it is very dry.
Put into medium cup cases two thirds full.
Bake at 190C, 375F, gas 5 for 20 to 22 minutes.
Do not open for the first 15 minutes.
Decoration
Let the cupcakes cool. I suggest cherry or raspberry jam and sprinkle with coconut

Blueberry Sauce Cupcakes

These Blueberry Cupcakes use the Vanilla cupcake recipe. If you click on this in Labels it will take you to it. I added some fresh blueberries to the mixture so they are in the sponge.
I made some Blueberry sauce. I put a small packet of blueberries in a pan with a tablespoon of water and sugar to taste. I boiled till it made a sauce. I then dissolved 1/2 teaspoon of Arrowroot in cold water. I added this to the blueberries, removed from the heat and stirred until it was a good jelly like sauce. I let it cool. I then cut out cones from my cupcakes and put in the sauce. the top was replaced and a fresh blueberry put on top.
This could have a swirl of vanilla flavoured frosting or fresh cream.

Check out the ARCHIVES, LABELS and cupcake store for more ideas.

Click on the labels to see lots of cupcake recipes and ideas.

Chinese New Year Cupcakes

One New Year the Buddha invited all the animals to come before him. Twelve animals came to the Buddha. In gratitude he named a year after each of the animals and those born in that year inherit some of the characteristics of the animal.

This Chinese New Year is The Year of the Golden Pig. I decorated two vanilla cupcakes for this. One is my attempt at a golden pig from this statue and the other is the Chinese symbol for the Golden Pig. Check on the Birth years to see if you are a Pig. I know that I am a Dragon.

Rum and Currant Eccles Cupcakes

These are not really cupcakes but I do feel that there can also be the definition "if it fits into a cupcake case and it is good, well lets go for it". These are a local favourite in the North of England called Eccles Cakes. They are small flaky pastry cakes filled with a moist mixture of currants, cinnamon, nutmeg, dark brown sugar and rum. It is a great combination that I wanted to share.
Ingredients
1 packet of ready rolled flaky pastry or a non rolled pastry
2/3 cup--4 oz currants
1/3 cup--2 oz dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup--2 fl oz rum
1 tablespoon of fine or castor sugar

Method Put currants, rum, dark brown sugar and spices into a bowl. Mix together.
I rolled out the ready rolled pastry a bit more. I also dusted the working surface with some flour so that the pastry did not stick. Cut out circles . I used a tin lid or you can use a large cookie cutter. See photo above. I then put spoonfuls of the filling onto each pastry circle. See photo below.

Use a pastry brush to wet the edge of each circle with water and then bring the pastry edges to the centre. See photo below

Turn the eccles cake over and gently roll out slightly. See below

With the pastry brush, brush each cake with water and sprinkle over some castor sugar. Place cakes on a greased baking tray and cook at 400F, 200C or gas 6 for 20 minutes. Put on a rack to cool.

Serve in cupcake cases along with some of your favourite easy homemade cupcake recipes for an afternoon treat. Some earl grey tea would go well with these

Grape Cupcakes for Mother's Day

This is a simple cupcake idea for Mother's Day. I love fresh grapes and these are cut in half to decorate a cupcake and make a flower. You could add fresh cream, ice cream such as vanilla or yoghurt. Add these just before serving so leave spaces on the plate . Use a vanilla cupcake and a fruit coulis to add more moisture.

Valentine's Day Fruit Platter

This is a simple fruit platter for Valentines day. Use a cupcake and decorate the plate with Fruit Kebabs. I used strawberries and grapes, but use the fresh fruits that you like. Blueberries, raspberries, slices of fresh pineapple and any fruits that will cut into small pieces but do not go brown. Apples tend to go brown unless tossed in lemon juice. I then added valentines hearts made from ready to roll icing and a heart cutter. I added chocolates to the plate. Keep it simple or add tastes of all things that you like. It is a good recipe for Valentines Day and refreshing to taste.

Check out the ARCHIVES for lots more ideas

Check out the LABELS BELOW these link to cupcake recipes for the topics listed,

Valentines Cupcakes for Two

These plates are designed to share on St Valentines. These are quick cupcakes recipes for Valentines and can be made in a short time.

I took two cupcakes. I usually have some in the freezer. It is a good idea so that you can take them out and by the time it is decorated they will be defrosted. If you want to make some cakes check out the ARCHIVES for lots of CUPCAKE RECIPES,

I added chocolate drops to the cupcakes. You could make them stick by adding some melted apricot jam, some cream cheese or some butter cream. I made some hearts from ready to roll icing and a small heart shaped cutter. I added some fresh fruit cocktail kebabs and if you dust off with some white icing sugar or cocoa it gives a good finishing touch

Valentines Candle Cupcake Platter

Why not create two plates with a chocolate cupcake and fresh fruit. Take two heart shaped candles or some other small red candles to illuminate the plate and serve at the end of your Valentines Day meal.

Use some of the cupcakes recipes in the Archives such as chocolate, lemon and orange.

Valentines Cupcakes with Strawberries

These are a cupcake recipe for Valentines Day with fresh fruits.

These cupcakes can be chocolate or ginger recipe. They are for those of us who prefer the flavours of fresh fruit to frostings. I prepared some fresh fruit, strawberries and grapes. The strawberries are like fresh fruit hearts just perfect for Valentines Day. These would be the perfect end to a meal for two.

You could add some fresh cream, natural yogurt, vanilla ice cream or creme fraiche to the platter. A coulis of strawberry or raspberries would be delicious to top this off. Presentation is key to this. Prepare all ingredients and then I start in the centre and work outwards creating symmetry. Leave spaces for the creams to add just before serving. I used rosemary leaves and fresh flowers from the garden.

Chocolate Hearts Valentines Cupcakes

These St Valentine's Cupcakes are from the basic cupcake recipe with a teaspoon of mixed spice,chopped dates, cherries and sultanas added to the mixture. They were made in Valentines Hearts cupcake cases which add to the decoration of the cupcakes. I topped each cake with pink icing and then each one had a chocolate heart placed on top. I found the chocolate hearts in a local store. They are made of light and dark chocolate. I dusted the cupcakes off with icing sugar to give a frosted effect. These cupcakes give a good chocolate experience and a delicious cupcake sponge. Have a search in local shops and supermarkets to see what you can find for your Valentine's cupcakes.

Remember to check out the Archives for more recipes and ways to decorate cupcakes.

Click on the Labels below for more ideas and recipes, the labels will take you to different posts on that topic of cupcakes, Check out the cupcake store. Enjoy and tell me if you use any of these ideas or want to suggest things I might tryout. Crazycupcakes.

ST VALENTINES CUPCAKES

I found these heart shaped candles in Manchester in a department store called Selfridges. It has lots of goodies for St Valentines.
I took a mixed spice and fruit cupcake recipe. This was the basic cupcake recipe with dates, glace cherries and sultanas added to the mixture. I then put a thin layer of apricot jam on the top and added fresh raspberries. I topped it off with a candle. For Valentines I will light two candles.
Click on Basic cupcakes recipes in labels to get the recipes at the bottom of the post and click on the others for interesting cupcakes ideas.
Cupcake store has more ideas.

In the Archives there are recipes for delicious chocolate cupcakes and healthy eating ones. Have a browse and please make any comments. What cupcakes should I design next?