Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson

Show: Nigella FeastsEpisode: Just Desserts

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (68)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(68)

Cook Time:
20 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
12

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 20 min
Total:: 30 min

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Ingredients

1 stick plus 1 tablespoon soft butter
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions

Royal Icing, recipe follows

Special equipment: 12 bun muffin pan, lined with muffin papers.

Take everything you need out of the fridge in time to get to room temperature - and this makes a huge difference to the lightness of the cupcakes later - and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Put all of the ingredients for the cupcakes except for the milk into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Pulse while adding the milk down the funnel, to make a smooth dropping consistency.

Divide the mixture between a 12-bun muffin tin lined with muffin papers, and bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. They should have risen and be golden on top. Let them cool a little in their tins on a rack, and then take them carefully out of the tin to cool in their papers, still on the wire rack.

Ice with Royal Icing.

Royal Icing:

*2 large egg whites (or substitute powdered egg whites)
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Combine the egg whites and confectioners' sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl and whip with an electric mixer on medium speed until opaque and shiny, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the lemon juice, this will thin out the icing. Beat for another couple of minutes until you reach the right spreading consistency for the cupcakes.

Yield: sufficient to generously ice 12 cupcakes

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Cupcakes
Lisa Sherwood, OR 02-07-2010
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Simple, come out perfect every time!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is so simple and easy. I love finding another use for my food processor too! The cupcakes are just as moist and... tastey two days later. Quick throw together dessert for after dinner. The only thing I'd change about the recipe is the icing. I'm not a big fan of the royal icing, it's messy and too sweet for my tastes. Read more
recipe Cupcakes
Shilpa Philadelphia, PA 01-26-2010
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Never-fail recipe
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made these cupcakes atleast 20 times and they are always a huge hit! It takes 30 min to make them (including 15 min bake... time). I've made a chocolate version (with a pinch of coffee powder too). Just remove some of the flour and replace with cocoa powder! Highly recommend!!!Read more
recipe Cupcakes
Ethel Baltimore, MD 12-27-2009
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Very Moist but light
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

The cake was really moist but the look of it looked like the inside wasn't done but it was. The icing was really sweet for... the size of the cupcake which was small. I will try this recipe again but I won't shift the flour maybe that would make a difference.Read more
recipe Cupcakes
eileen etobicoke, ON 12-10-2009
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Probably My Fault
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

Used the food processor, subbed milk for buttermilk (didn't have any milk) and subbed out baking powder for baking soda like... you're supposed to. Probably my fault, i was so worried about burning them like some of the other reviewers said that i baked them at 350. They turned out mushy, and incredibly greasy. May try again and follow the recipie properly next time. The red velvet recipe by Paula Deen is amazing though, if you're looking to get rid of buttermilk (like i am) CheersRead more
recipe Cupcakes
Alica Somerset, NJ 10-21-2009
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The BEST Cupcakes Ever!!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These cupcakes are the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had. I was invited to a dinner party recently and took these... along with me. I have never gotten so many compliments in my life. One guest said that he thought all cupcakes tasted the same but not after eating these. He said these are by far the best. Very easy recipe, so easy that my 7yr old helped me make them with no problem. The only difference (as stated in other reviews) is that I added to the milk and did 4 or 5 tablespoons and they typically only needed to cook for about 13 minutes. I never thought the food processor could make baking so easy! A must try for anyone who loves sweets!Read more
recipe Cupcakes
Liza los angeles, CA 10-20-2009
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very very good
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

It was good everyone loved them.