LIFESTYLE: Cult of the Cupcake

You could be forgiven for thinking that some criminal mastermind was infiltrating the world of baking, controlling one crafty mind at a time by promoting cupcakes as the elixir du jour. Not only is its comforting image emblazoned everywhere, but a raft of cupcake cookbooks have unleashed themselves onto an eager audience, desperate for the nostalgic comfort, the reassuring simplicity and the invigorating sweetness that a cupcake affords.
Perhaps its the possibility of creativity that makes the cupcake so appealing to the modern crafter: how to decorate the simple vanilla sponge can lead to all kinds of possibilities, from the sublime to the insane (yet, I'm sure, just as delicious.) But I think that the cupcake's appeal is more on its self-contained-ness, your own cake with its own little crumb catcher, and, primarily, the intensity of sweetness and flavour. The fact that you make 12 cakes in one go is also a boon, knowing that there will be enough cake for everyone and that you don't have to be vigilant by slicing even portions.
My particular favourite book on cupcakes is the marvellous Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, a work of baking genius that covers other cakes such as brownies (and may I whole-heartedly recommend their recipe for Blondies), pumpkin pie and cookies, but it's the cupcakes that are the book's selling point, and the reason you should buy a copy right now if you don't already own one. (However, a few mistakes were printed in the book, which the bakery have sought to address with amendments here.)
What this book has taught me is the importance of the topping: it's all in the frosting, baby! If possible, use a food processor when making the frosting: I find that it makes for a lighter, more luxurious texture. If you don't have one, thwack on your favourite rawk cd and beat along to that.
This recipe is adapted from Hummingbird, if only by my occasionally using olive oil spread instead of butter and increasing the amount of vanilla: this is more through clumsiness more than anything (Hummingbird use a 1/4 tsp! That's far too precise for a baking oaf like me!), but I also adore the reassuring warmth of this true Essence of Baking. Also, make sure you use muffin cases rather than cupcake cases, to allow room for the resplendent topping.

Vanilla Cupcakes

(makes 12)

120g plain flour

140g caster sugar (I like golden caster sugar)

1.5 teaspoons baking powder

pinch of salt

40g unsalted butter (at room temperature)

120ml milk (whole or semi-skimmed)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

250g icing sugar (sifted)

80g unsalted butter (at room temperature)

1 tablespoon milk  (whole or semi-skimmed)

couple of drops (or more) vanilla extract

sprinkles, food colouring, chocolate shavings etc to decorate

• Preheat the oven to 170oc / gas mark 3

• If you have a food processor, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter on a slow speed. Without a food processor, beat together the ingredients in a large bowl until evenly combined.

• Gradually pour in half of the milk and mix until just combined.

• In a separate jug, whisk together the remaining milk, egg and vanilla essence, add to the mixture and mix until smooth.

• Pour evenly into the muffin cases and bake for 20-25 mins until golden and springy to the touch.

• Allow the cakes to cool in the tin before allowing to completely cool on a wire rack before frosting them.
  

Whilst they cool, make the frosting:

• Beat together the icing sugar and butter (in a food processor on a medium speed or with a wooden spoon and a well-developed bicep)

• Add the milk and vanilla and mix together on a slower speed until just combined.

• If you want to make coloured icing, divide up the icing into as many colours as you wish to make. Add a couple of drops of food colouring to each batch of icing.
  

• Crank up the speed and mix, for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.

• If the cupcakes are cool, frost away! (if they're warm , the frosting will just melt into a sad pile of gloop.) Sprinkle with your topping of choice.

Muhuhahaha! I have you under my control!