Rima's 18th birthday party on 23 April 2010

Was asked if I would bake some cupcakes for Rima's 18th birthday party - similar to what I made for elder daughter's birthday way back in September 2009!! Last time the cakes were made for said daughter's party, there were plenty of little helping hands in the form of two daughters and two nieces and I did not realise how long it takes to decorate so many cakes. Five year old and eight year old fingers are terrific for the tiny decorations but this time I had to do it all by myself :O Nevertheless, 120 cupcakes in five flavours were baked in batches of twenty four.

the five flavours of the cupcakes were :

vanilla

chocolate with dark chocolate chips

coconut and cherry

pistachio and rosewater

apple with pecan nuts

I used a basic recipe for 24 cupcakes :

250 grams salted butter

250 grams self raising flour

250 grams caster sugar infused with vanilla pods

4 large eggs

4 tbsp milk

vanilla essence

Simply replaced 4 tbsp of flour with 4 tbsp of cocoa powder for the chocolate cupcakes, 100 grams of flour for 100 grams of dessicated coconut with a large handful or two of chopped glace cherries for the coconut and cherry, 100 grams of flour for 100 grams of freshly ground pistachios and the milk with rosewater for the pistachio and rosewater cupakes, and for the apple ones, just grated two large apples (Pink Lady apples because those were in the fruit bowl) and added about 100 grams of pecan nuts and subtracted the milk as the apples lent the moistness. Delicious!!!

During the evening, many little kids, and big ones too, were eyeing the cupcakes and quite a few vanished. So by the time the party finished and party bags were made and filled, the number of cupcakes too were reduced in number.

Do not possess a cupcake stand. So I guess my next 'investment' should be in a cupcake stand. Will be baking again next weekend for my nephew Sami's birthday. Different flavours as Sami loves chocolate cake and I am going to try out some cakes with my rather expensive and spur of the moment purchase of genuine green tea in Poitiers last summer (10 grams for 40 euros!!) in a fabulous tea shop. Sami is a staunch supporter of Arsenal football club at the age of six - father's influence. So red and white decorations will be the order of the day.