National Cupcake Week

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 History of the Cupcake

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.

Cupcake Recipe

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!

Ready, Steady, Bake!

Garden Square’s stores have got plenty of bakeware, kitchen gadgets and literary inspiration to help you create your own sweet treats during National Cupcake Week. Here are just a few:

The Works: Peggy Porschen Cupcakes Book
Featuring over 25 of Peggy’s most delectable cupcake recipes, Cupcakes is an essential selection of original and specially developed recipes from the most creative of contemporary cake designers.

Recipes include the award-winning Chocolate Heaven and Black Forest, the timeless classics Sticky Toffee and Vanilla Chiffon and a whole range that are perfectly suited for special occasions.

Argos: Great British Bake Off Silicone Spoon and Spatula Set
If you love the Great British Bake Off, you’ll love this set! The Silicone Spatula and Spoon are both easy to clean and have a flexible and durable finish. A cute addition to any kitchen.

Poundland: Jane Asher Cupcake Cases
The Jane Asher baking range has a great selection of products for every kitchen. This 150 pack of pretty cupcake cases are easy to use and ensure your cakes are perfectly shaped.

Home Bargains: Elizabeth Harris Cake Tins
Store your cupcakes in style with these Elizabeth Harris Cake Tins from Home Bargains. Available in pastel pink and blue. Only £4.99 each!

Iceland
If you’re not a keen baker, but still enjoy induldging in cupcakes, Iceland in Garden Square can satiate your sweet tooth this National Cupcake Week with their cupcake platters!

This particular platter contains 4 sponge cakes with chocolate flavoured frosting topped with white chocolate curls, 4 sponge cakes with a strawberry flavour frosting topped with a white and milk chocolate decoration and 4 sponge cakes with a vanilla flavour frosting topped with chocolated coated cereal decorations. Yummy!

Whether you decide to bake your own cupcakes or indulge in a pre-made treat, Garden Square has everything you need to celebrate National Cupcake Week in style!