I have bookmarked a couple of recipes to try from the first edition of the Baked and Delicious Magazine and first up were the Iced Vanilla Cupcakes. So on with the new oven while Mom and I got all the ingredients ready to have some fun. Everything was going fine until we got to icing the cupcakes. We followed the recipe verbatim so we are not sure what went wrong. You would think it’s the first time we had done this! It led to what looked like an explosion with the mess and a fit of giggles the entire afternoon. Mom and I have decided that we won’t be using the icing recipe again though.
Iced Vanilla Cupcakes
taken from Baked and Delicious
Ingredients
125g unsalted butter sofented – we used salted butter
125g caster sugar
2 large eggs beaten
125g self raising flour sifted
2 tbsp milk
1tsp vanilla extract
2tbsp semi skimmed or whole milk
1tsp vanilla extract
Icing
75g unsalted butter softened -we used salted
2tbsp semi skimmed or whole milk
1tsp vanilla extract
225g icing sugar sifted
Raspberries to decorate – we used a little grated chocolate and chocolate drops
Method
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy.
- Whisk in the beaten eggs, a little at a time, adding a spoonful of the measured flour to prevent the mixture curdling.
- Use a metal spoon to gently fold in the remaining flour and then add the milk and vanilla extract.
- Stand the [silicone] cupcake cases in a bun tin or on a large baking tray and divide the mixture equally between them (spoon the mixture into 12 muffin tins lined with paper cases).
- Bake in an oven preheated to 190°C until well risen and golden. This will take between 15 and 20 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Icing
- In a large bowl beat the butter until completely soft. Tip in the milk and vanilla extract, add half the sifted icing sugar and beat for several minutes. Add the remaining sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy If you are adding food colouring, put it in a drop by drop until you get the desired shade you want.
- Take a good dolllop of icing onto an angled palette knife and spread it from the top to one side of the cake.
- Repeat for the other side until the cake is covered in a good layer.
- Finally, working from the centre outwards, move the palette knife anti-clockwise to create a decorative swirl. If you don’t achieve perfection, pretty decorations or fresh berries cover a multitude of sins! Apply straight after icing, before the topping sets.


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LOL! That’s always what happens to my cakes and cupcakes. It sounds like a fun afternoon with your mom though! And the cupcakes do look and sound delicious!
By: Kristy on September 16, 2011
at 07:08
Sadly not the best cupcakes I have had but the afternoon of fun definitely made up for it all. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 08:11
“pretty decorations or fresh berries cover a multitude of sins!” i think you’re right, their’s didn’t work either
By: Cindy on September 16, 2011
at 07:08
It was such a disappointment as we were really looking forward to a yummy cupcake and cuppa. Have a fabulous weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 08:12
Vanilla is my very favourite flavour in a cupcake and I think the icing is probably the most important part, don’t you?
By: Amanda on September 16, 2011
at 07:15
Absolutely Amanda, the icing can either make or break a good cupcake. Have a fantastic weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 08:13
I can’t wait to try this recipe! sounds so good! thanks for sharing this!
By: Jenny liu on September 16, 2011
at 08:32
Hi Jenny, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I hope you have more success with the icing though. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 10:45
And THAT is why I never bake cupcakes!!! The icing is ALWAYS an issue!!! In fact, I don’t do ANY icing … I leave that to hubby
He has the patience of a saint when it comes to working with icing.
By: Chantelle Taylor Beyers on September 16, 2011
at 08:59
Go Chantelle’s hubby Go! I usually don’t have a problem although I don’t ever do the larney piping thing, I just smear it on and it works fine – this icing just had a thing against mom and I. Have a fantastic weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 10:47
LOL At least you had fun together! Have a great weekend too
By: Chantelle Taylor Beyers on September 16, 2011
at 10:59
it is a pity that the icing did not work out!
By: Tandy on September 16, 2011
at 10:21
I must say it was a bit disappointing, but no matter, mom and I worked on our tummy muscles with all the laughing. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 10:48
I can’t even really visualise what the finished icing was supposed to look like!
Love the pretty cupcake case, Mandy! Have a great weekend!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on September 16, 2011
at 12:37
Celia, to be quite frank, can’t say there’s was very pretty either.
Have a super weekend too.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 14:24
That looks incredibly awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe
By: frugalfeeding on September 16, 2011
at 13:21
Thanks for stopping by frugalfeeding. A cupcake and a cup of tea are always a nice comforting combination. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 14:25
Seems to me like it was a blessing the icing didn’t “perform” as planned. You and your Mother made the best of it and it sounds like you both had a memorable time, as a result. I bet that afternoon will be mentioned many more times than if everything had gone smoothly. Enjoy your weekend!
By: ChgoJohn on September 16, 2011
at 13:57
ChgoJohn, I don’t think we have laughed as much for a very long time. It was a refreshing afternoon and I am sure that we will talk about it for many years to come. Have a fantastic weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 14:27
Yep, you read it right – they also had trouble!! (I never make cupcakes – too fiddly to make and eat!)
Glad you had fun – your mom must so be enjoying your being back in SA
By: Fired Up Cooking SA on September 16, 2011
at 14:16
I am already counting the sleeps for when mom and dad come down for a visit in October – a short visit so we will have to make every minute count! Have a fantastic weekend Linda.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 14:29
Such a pretty cupcake!
I can tell that you are having lots of fun with new oven.
By: Angie's Recipes on September 16, 2011
at 15:04
Thanks Angie – I must confess though that the one in the picture is actually one and a half cupcakes – we had to raise the topping to look better in the wrapper. Have a super weekend and thanks for remembering about my new oven.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 15:18
That cupcakes looks delicious! Love the little polka-dot cup
What a special time with your Mom. Have a lovely weekend.
By: Tricia @ Saving room for dessert on September 16, 2011
at 15:35
Thanks Tricia. It was treasured time and I am now really looking forward to when my mom and dad come visit again soon! Have a fantastic weekend too.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 16, 2011
at 17:02
We don’t make a lot of cupcakes in our house. OK, Katherine made them once and decided icing all those little cakes was a pain in the well, you know. It looks like yours turned out wonderfully, exploding icing not withstanding.
By: Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on September 16, 2011
at 18:26
Thanks Greg – I usually enjoy icing cupcakes but this icing was just not user friendly. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 17, 2011
at 10:27
Sorry the icing didn’t turn out well but I think that accidents make the best memories sometimes
By: thefooddoctor on September 16, 2011
at 21:35
Absolutely fooddoctor, we will talk about this for many years to come.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 17, 2011
at 10:37
—Mandy,
I can just hear you guys giggling. Priceless. Lovely.
Nothing is as fun as baking w/ family. xxx DELish
By: My Inner Chick on September 17, 2011
at 00:00
So pleased you can appreciate it with me and my Mom Kim. Have a super weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on September 17, 2011
at 10:38
Love those cupcake containers, and it’s too bad the icing didn’t work out.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on September 17, 2011
at 05:50
Thanks Brydie, must say, we were very close to making more icing! Have a great weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 17, 2011
at 10:40
When you don’t have user friendly icing and a lot of cupcakes, it makes for a daunting time. At least you had a good laugh.
By: Karen on September 17, 2011
at 15:16
Hi Karen, thanks for stopping by. Mom and I are like dogs at a bone so were not willing to have the icing beat us. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2011
at 12:31
These vanilla cupcakes are calling me and tell me to make them ASAP. I think I may listen to this craving and do so immediately lol
By: Kay aka Babygirl on September 18, 2011
at 07:39
You sound like me Kay – I often stop what I am doing to bake something. Have a fantastic Sunday.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2011
at 13:30
Just by looking at the photo it doesn’t seem to be an icing disaster. Anyways as long as you have a great base that would be enough to enjoy it.
By: rsmacaalay on September 18, 2011
at 10:39
Thanks Raymund. It took quite a few iterations to get them to look okay. Have a great Sunday.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2011
at 13:31
Oh, look at those pretty vanilla cupcakes in your new cupcake holders!! Love the idea of raspberries on top (or, raspberry chocolate combo, wow!!)
By: Kelly on September 18, 2011
at 14:35
Kelly, I like the idea of the raspberry chocolate combo! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 18, 2011
at 14:41
Sounds like fun anyway and the cupcake holders look gorgeous!
By: chicaandaluza on September 18, 2011
at 22:40
Thanks Tanya, it was loads of fun!
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2011
at 07:00
These are so fun looking. Love the cupcake holder! I find almost any icing recipe benefits from a little cream cheese to stiffen it up and then keep adding powdered sugar until it’s the consistency you were looking for. My strict vanilla buttercreams, always begin to melt and seem a little greasy,but when I do 1/2 butter and 1/2 cream cheese, it holds up much better.
By: Geni - Sweet and Crumby on September 19, 2011
at 12:48
Mom and I were determined to make the recipe by the book as it were but will definitely stick our own version going forward – I use cream cheese in my icing for carrot cake cupcakes never really thought of using it for “normal” icing too. Have a super week Geni.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 19, 2011
at 13:36
Regardless of the outcome, how lucky are you to both be able to enjoy an afternoon baking together! I think they look so cute in their little cupcake wrap.
By: spicegirlfla on September 19, 2011
at 19:38
It was a treasured and memorable afternoon Spicegirlfla. I hope we can spend another fun afternoon together soon. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on September 20, 2011
at 12:44