Petits Gateaux d'Anniversaire

Cupcakes have become very much the vogue for use as a birthday celebration or any celebration for that matter. I love the idea of this as you can decorate as many or as little as you wish in as many different ways take your fancy. Today, I have opted for vanilla flavoured buttercream with chocolate fans because, well, its my birthday and I can do what I want ;)


Alas, the numbers on this particular display pertains to my coming of age....the last of my thirties which is very scary indeed. But we wont dwell on that for now....lets just enjoy the cakes:)

Vanilla Sponge: 

makes 12 - 16

225g butter

225g caster sugar

4 medium eggs

225g self raising flour

1tsp vanilla extract

Buttercream Icing

225g butter

1tsp vanilla extract

450g sifted icing sugar

2 tbsp water

Preheat the oven to 175 deg c. Place cases in bun trays

Put sugar, then flour (sieved) , then softened chopped butter and the vanilla extract into your mixer or food processor. Blitz all together on medium power until well mixed together,

Add the eggs one by one, using a low setting. 

Spoon the mixture into the cases and place in the baking tray.

Bake in centre of oven for 18-20 mins

To test if the cakes are done, the tops should spring back when touched.

Turn out and cool on a wire rack.

For the buttercream frosting, beat the butter until soft and gradually add the icing sugar and water until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract at the end.

I have decorated these with chocolate fans which I made by piping melted chocolate onto greaseproof paper and carefully lifting them when they have set.

I think they give a lovely delicate touch.