National Cupcake Week
19th September 2017
19th September 2017
Organised by British Baker Magazine, National Cupcake Week 2017 takes place from 18th to 24th September. The magazine launched this special week in 2009 to celebrate the much-loved cupcake.
National Cupcake Week promotes and encourages bakers and foodies to enjoy these glorious sweet bundles of joy, by either making their own or supporting bakeries, patisseries and shops that sell them.
The first reference to a cupcake dates to 1796, when a recipe appeared in the American Cookery publication by Amelia Simmons. It referred to ‘a light cake to bake in small cups’. The term ‘cupcake’ was introduced in 1828 in Eliza Leslie’s Receipts Cookbook.
Before muffin tins were widely available, cupcakes were baked in individual pottery cups, ramekins or small pots. They therefore took their name from the cups they were baked in. The name remained and is now given to any small cake that is, approximately, the size of a teacup.
A standard cupcake uses the same ingredients as standard-sized cakes. These being eggs, butter, flour and sugar. The cake batter can be flavoured and have other ingredients added, such as chocolate chips, fruit and nuts. Once baked, cupcakes can be topped with icing, fruit and/or cream.
If you want to make your own cupcakes during National Cupcake Week, this basic vanilla cupcake recipe ensures a delicious treat for you, your family and friends.
Ingredients:
110g/4oz Soft Butter
110g/4oz Caster Sugar
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
110g/4oz Self-Raising Flour
1-2 tbsp Milk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4 and line a 12-hole cupcake or muffin tin with paper cases.
Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale. Beat in the eggs and add in the vanilla extract.
Next, fold in the flour using a metal spoon. Gradually add in the milk and stir.
Spoon the mixture into the cases in the cupcake/muffin tin, so each is half full.
Bake for 10–15 minutes or until golden brown. Leave to cool.
Decorate with your choice of icing, fruit, cream or other accessories!
Trevor Mottram’s cookshop in The Pantiles is a treasure trove of delights for keen bakers and has plenty in-store to help you create the perfect cupcake. From cookware to kitchen gadgets and cupcake cases to aprons, becoming ‘bake ready’ is a cinch!
If you’re not a keen baker, but still enjoy induldging in cupcakes, The CakeShed in The Pantiles is the perfect venue. An independent café well established in the heart of The Pantiles, The CakeShed specialises in handmade cakes, gateaux, patisseries, savoury snacks and food. It is open seven days a week.
Everything is made on the premises and a range of beautifully displayed cakes are sure to tempt you upon arrival.
Whether you decide to bake your own cupcakes or indulge in a pre-made treat, The Pantiles has everything you need to celebrate National Cupcake Week in style!