Arizona cupcakes


Arizona cupcakes
Cupcakes are small sponge cakes. In their original American version, they are usually decorated with brightly coloured icing. Here's a version inspired by the famous saguaro cactus, so common in Arizona.
236 K 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
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Last modified on: October 13th 2010
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For 25 cupcakes, you will need:

Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 1 hour 15 min.
Cooking: 35 min.
All in all: 1 hour 50 min.
When should you start or finish this recipe?
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time

Step by step recipe


Stage 1 - ⌛ 3 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 1
Cut 100 g butter into small pieces and tip into the bowl of the mixer, along with 30 g caster sugar and 10 g vanilla sugar.

Stage 2 - ⌛ 5 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 2
Knead for a few minutes on slow speed until thoroughly mixed.

Stage 3 - ⌛ 3 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 3
Then add 100 g flour, 2 eggs, 1 pinch salt and 5 g baking powder.

Stage 4 - ⌛ 5 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 4
Knead again on medium speed just until evenly mixed.

Preheat oven to 180°C (360°F).

Stage 5 - ⌛ 10 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 5
Divide the mixture between small moulds, preferably in paper cake cases. Do not over fill as the cakes will expand during cooking.

You can divide out the mixture with a spoon, but it's much quicker and easier to use a forcing bag.

Stage 6 - ⌛ 35 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 6
Put in the oven and bake for around 35 minutes (watch for colouring).

Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Stage 7 - ⌛ 15 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 7
Meanwhile, make the cacti using green marzipan.

Stage 8 - ⌛ 10 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 8
Melt 150 g fondant icing in a bain-marie.

Note: if you don't have fondant icing, make up a quick glacé icing using 100g icing sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon water, or just a little more.

Stage 9 - ⌛ 2 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 9
Spread icing over the cupcakes...

Stage 10 - ⌛ 1 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 10
... and place a cactus on top immediately.

Stage 11 - ⌛ 20 min.
Arizona cupcakes : Stage 11
Decorate all the cupcakes like this.
Remarks
You can start with the basic cupcake mix and let your imagination run wild!

A quick variation: replace the marzipan decorations with pistachio paste, which gives a more realistic saguaro cactus colour.

For that real Arizona touch, the sun should make an appearance on the cupcakes, maybe as a small circle of yellow marzipan at the top to left or right of the cactus? Oh, well - for next time.
Keeping: Several days in a closed metal box.
Source: Home-made, but warmly dedicated to Krissy, Kelley and Heather, three charming friends from Phoenix, of whom I cherish fond memories.
Nutritional information
Proteins (gr)Carbohydrates (gr)Fats (gr)Energy value (in k-calories)Energy value (in k-joules)
Whole recipe52 RDI=80 %496 RDI=187 %178 RDI=245 %2,543 RDI=127 %10,650 RDI: 127 %
Per 100 g8 RDI=13 %81 RDI=31 %29 RDI=40 %417 RDI=21 %1,746 RDI: 21 %
Per cupcakes2 RDI=3 %19 RDI=7 %7 RDI=10 %101 RDI=5 %426 RDI: 5 %
The % figures are calculated in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake , or RDI of 2,000 k-calories (or 8,400 k-joules) per day for a woman
Possible allergens in this recipe: milk, Gluten, egg, Nuts
How much will it cost?
  • For 25 cupcakes : 3.35 €
  • Per cupcakes : 0.15 €

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Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
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The 1 comment already posted on this recipe
  • Those are absoluetly perfect!! I love it! I sure wish we could share that cup of tea while enjoying your yummy cupcakes.
    Krissy may 10th 201004:40 1

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