5 Easy Cupcake Recipe Ideas

Cupcake mania has taken over our heart and soul. For those weight conscious individuals, the allure of a cupcake might lead you to curb your dieting resolutions.

You imagine what you want to eat, and drool over what your friends are eating on Instagram.

But staring at pictures of tasty food only makes the heart grows fonder.

Check out our 5 easy cupcake recipes and treat yourself to some heavenly pleasures!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Adapted from The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook; Makes 12 cupcakes

With its deep red colour, dense crumbs and smooth cream cheese icing, these classic and iconic cupcakes will please even the fussiest eater!

Use muffin tins instead of cupcake tins, as they are American-style cupcakes.

Ingredients for cupcakes:

• 60g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 150g caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 20g cocoa powder
• 40ml red food colouring
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 120ml buttermilk
• 150g plain flour
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1½ tsp white vinegar

Ingredients for cream cheese frosting:

• 300g icing sugar, sifted
• 20g unsalted butter at room temperature
• 125g cream cheese, cold

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/gas mark 3.
2. Use a handheld electric whisk to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly adding the egg and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the cocoa powder, red food colouring and vanilla extract to make a very thick and dark paste.
4. Add to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly. Slowly pour in half the buttermilk. Mix well.
5. Add half the flour and beat until evenly mixed. Repeat this process until all the buttermilk and flour are added and well mixed.
6. Add the soda and vinegar. Beat until well mixed.
7. To make the frosting, whisk the icing sugar and butter together. Add the cream cheese and beat until light and fluffy. Do not overbeat to avoid the mixture turning runny.
8. Line the muffin tin with paper cases and fill with mixture up to two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sponge bounces back when touched.
9. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before cooling them on a cooling rack. Spoon the cream cheese frosting on top to finish.

Butterfly Cupcakes

Adapted from Dr. Oetker; Makes 16 cupcakes

Ingredients for cupcakes:

• 110g butter
• 110g caster sugar
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 75g self-raising flour, sieved
• 2ml or 2-3 drops vanilla extract

Ingredients for icing:

• 75g unsalted butter
• 175g icing sugar, plus extra to dust
• 2ml or 2-3 drops vanilla extract

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4. Place the cupcake cases into a cupcake tin.
2. Mix the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
3. If the mixture starts to congeal, add a little flour. Fold in the remaining flour with a metal spoon.
4. Scoop spoonfuls of mixture into the cases and bake for 15-20 minutes until firm and well risen. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on a cooling rack.
5. At 1 cm (½ inch) from the edge of the cake, cut a circle out of the top at an angle. Cut each circle in half and set aside.
6. To make the icing, place the unsalted butter in a bowl and beat until soft. Gradually sift and beat in the icing sugar.
7. Mix in drops of vanilla extract and enough milk or water to make the icing fluffy and soft. Spread it onto the cakes.
8. Place the two half circles of cake on top to resemble butterfly wings. Dust the top of each cake lightly with the sieved icing sugar.

Lemon and Poppy Seed Cupcakes

Strong flavour food can seem so much less appealing after our indulgence over a big hearty meal.

Yet, you don’t want to turn down all the sweet treats. Why not try these refreshing cupcakes to put a little spring back into your step?

They are also perfect for a delightful afternoon tea. Just add a selection of finger sandwiches for an extra touch of ‘tea room’ sophistication.

You can find the complete recipe here.

Coffee Cream and Walnut Cupcakes

Coffee addicts are useless in the morning without a kick of caffeine in a paper cup.

But why choose a drink over breakfast when you can have both?

Creamy and infused with caffeine, these cheeky cupcakes will give you the good old pick-me-up to start your day.

You can find the complete recipe here.

Oreo Cupcakes

For those familiar with beauty blogger Tanya Burr, you would know that she loves to bake. Her Oreo cupcake recipe is simply divine!

If you are enthusiastic about Oreos, there is no reason not to try out this recipe and share the love with your friends and family!

You can find the complete recipe on Tanya’s blog or you can watch her in action before giving it a go yourself.

Forget about leaving the house at an un-godly hour and battling the elements just to go to the gym on the weekend.

Just lie in and enjoy a sweet treat over a cup of Earl Grey. Because let’s be honest – you were going to quit the gym anyway, weren’t you?