Cupcakes

[Aliantha]

You are correct Sundae. Its interesting how it all happened. Mostly poor journalism and a case of chinese whispers. Haha

[BigV]

Heart shaped cupcakes.

[BigV]

Baking? Taxidermy? You be the judge!

[Aliantha]

I have seen the heart shaped ones before. I might do some as an option for mothers day.

[Lola Bunny]

My cousin's wife asked me to make cupcakes for her son's birthday in a few weeks. It's simple enough, and she has the topping for me to put on the cupcakes. She did ask for whipped cream frosting, or at least something not too sweet. I found some recipes that I can use except the cupcakes will be left outside for the duration of the party and in Houston's weather, it'll spoil. So, here I'm hoping Aliantha could give me some expert advice. Do you have any recipes or any advice for which frosting I could use? Something not too sweet, won't spoil, not too soft so I can make a nice twirl on the cupcake. My cousin's wife said she usually mix cool whip with regular store bought frosting. I'm hoping to whip up something nice instead.

[Aliantha]

Why dont you make your own butter cream? You can used vegetable gum as opposed to butter so it wont melt, and mix with pure icing sugar and a stabiliser (its like dehydrated egg whites which makes the frosting set slightly. You can use a pavlova egg if you dont have a cake supplies shop handy). You can just add a little vanilla flavour and whatever colours you like. If you want the recipe i use, let me know. Using no dairy means they wont need to be refrigerated. Its an aevantage for me.

[Lola Bunny]

If it's simple, then I'd love to have the recipe. Thank you!

[BigV]

or.... Aliantha could just put the recipe HERE!

[Aliantha]

ok. Just let me finish my lunch!

[Aliantha]

This recipe will make about 2.5/3 cups of butter cream frosting.

1 cup of solid white vegetable shortening
1lb pure icing sugar
1 tblsp Meringue Powder
Pinch of salt
flavour to taste eg vanilla, butter and or almond. You can get these at most places that supply baking things. I use a combination of the three, but it's up to your taste buds really. eta: You can also use things like peppermint or strawberry etc. It works really well with this type of frosting too. If you want to make chocolate, just add about 3/4 cup of cocoa, or 1oz of melted dark chocolate (cooled).

So, pop all those things in your mixer and combine them on a low speed. Once they're combined, add several teaspoons of boiling water till you get the right consistency. Usually around 5, but maybe a little more. You want your spatula to be able to stand up at first, but then slowly fall to the side of the bowl if that makes any sense. Once you've achieved that stage, you're ready to do all the swirly things you like.

Oh, one thing, if you're using ordinary colours that are quite runny, add them before you start adding your water. The last thing you want is to have to start adding more sugar to thicken it up again.

Make sure you post some pics here Lola! xx

[xoxoxoBruce]

1oz of melted dark chocolate (cooled).

Doesn't it harden when it cools?

[Aliantha]

Sort of, but you mix it in nice and quick before that happens.

[infinite monkey]

So, you mix it in when it's cooled, or quick before that happens? I'm confused.

[Sundae]

I suspect you mix it while it's warm enough to be runny.

It's a small amount of choc compared to the other ingredients, so I doubt it will set too hard once its cooled. But you'll need to get it blended in so it doesn't reset, and not have it so hot it adversely affects the other ingredients.

[infinite monkey]

Ahhh, thanks. I don't bake, and I wouldn't have thought anything of it until bruce asked...so I was like 'hmmmm.' Good to know. I may have to bake stuff once the zombie apocalypse happens, and I like to be prepared.