Flower Child

I don't want to be a stinky poo poo girl, I want to be a flower child ~ Drew Barrymore.

I have recently become obsessed with sugar flowers. I think it's my way of remembering the sunshine which has all but disappeared. It has rained pretty much every day in England for the last 3 weeks. We had all these news reports about a drought and then suddenly the heavens opened and I can barely remember what the sun looks like anymore. 

Being stuck inside gave me plenty of practice time so I had loads of sugar flowers hanging around the house. I decided to put them to use as cupcake toppers and experimented with a chocolate and coconut cupcake flavour. I used cream cheese frosting this time, but I think this would also taste nice with a mascarpone icing for a lighter flavour.

Chocolate and Coconut Cupcake

Chocolate Cupcakes (adapted from the Hummingbird Bakery)

80g (3oz) unsalted butter softened

140g (50oz) caster sugar

140g (50oz) soft brown sugar

200g (7oz) plain flour

40g (1½oz) cocoa powder

2 tbsp desiccated coconut

1 tbsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

240ml (8½fl oz) full fat milk

2 large eggs

Cream Cheese Frosting

300g icing sugar (sifted)

50g unsalted butter at room temperature

125g cream cheese, cold

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3 and line 2 muffin trays with cupcake cases. 

2. Put the flour, sugars, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt and butter together in a large bowl or food processor and mix until everything is combined and you get a sandy consistency. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.

3. Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated (scrape any stray ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula). Add the desiccated coconut and continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the mixture is smooth. Do not overmix.

4. Fill the cupcake cases with the cake mixture until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean, or the sponge will bounce back when touched.

5.  Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

While the cupcakes are cooking make the icing.  Mix together the butter and the cream cheese. Then slowly add the icing sugar mixing gently until you have a smooth icing that is quite firm. Leave to cool in the fridge.

6. When the cupcakes are completely chilled, pipe the icing on top and garnish.

I quite liked this combination as the desiccated coconut adds a different texture to the cupcake. Let me know if you give this one a try!

Peace & Love


xx

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Pin It