Mixed Berries & Vanilla Cupcake with Jam Whipped Cream Frosting

When you look at a cup cake,

you have got a smile

                                                    - Anne Byrn

Don't we all smile when we look at cute small cup cakes?? I smile excessively. Why?? because they are cute and sweet looking. 

Cupcakes are so nice to bake. They are easy, no fuss method goodies, both to make and savour!!. So many ideas pop up when you want to decorate them isn't?? 

Every time when someone is arriving from the states, I get some goodie bag that is sent by my brother in law and sister in law... he he he... yes, I have so many things to buy from there and try!! There one time trip will never be enough for my cravings. 

I've never tried blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. They all look so beautiful. This time I had asked my brother in law to send some dried berries through our family friend. And tadaaa!!! they arrived!! 

The minute they arrived, I started planning what to make. I wanted to make so many things!! but I did not have enough berries... ha ha ha ha.... So finally the cup cakes.

Today, a second cousin of my husband visited us. She is getting married this November and she loves baked goodies. So incorporated the wonderful berries in the cupcakes and let her enjoy. 

These cuppies were soft and moist. They were just melt in the mouth with the right amount of sweetness. She loved them and I loved seeing her happy happy face!!!

Cup cakes are so beautiful and are easy to make. They can be decorate with such beautiful frostings and are mess free to eat too.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 - 25 minutes

Makes: 12 - 15 cupcakes

Recipe Adaptation: www.ruchiskitchen.com

What would you need:

For the cupcakes:

1. Cake Flour - 1 1/2 cups (for 1 cup all purpose flour add 2 tbsp cornflour) 
2. Baking Soda - 1 tsp
3. Baking Powder - 1 tsp
4. Sugar - 1/2 cup
5. Unsalted Butter - 1/2 cup
6. Salt - a pinch
7. Milk - 1 tbsp
8. Butter Milk - 1 1/4 cup
9. Mixed & Dried Berries - 1 cup

For the frosting:

1. Whipping Cream - 1/2 cup
2. Mixed Fruit  Jam - 2 tbsp (I used home made)

How to go about it:

1. In a bowl add all the dry ingredients - cake flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt. Sieve this mixture at least 3 - 4 times.
2. Add the mixed berries to the flour mixture and keep aside.
3. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and keep ready.
4. In another bowl, add the butter and sugar. Cream both until light, fluffy and pale.
5. To the creamed butter sugar mixture, add the buttermilk and fold gently and do not beat. 
6. Add milk and vanilla essence and mix gently again. 
7. Now, pre - heat the oven to 200 degree Celsius for 10 minutes. 
8. Mix the liquid ingredients to the sieved flour mixture and mix very gently with a hand beater. Do not over beat. 
9. You will get a creamy batter. Scoop out portions of the batter into the lined cupcake covers. Fill 1/2 - 2/3 rd of the cupcake liners and not more.
10. Tap the tray once to settle the batter.
11. Bake at 180 degree Celsius for 20 - 25 minutes. Once done, test them by poking the centre with a tooth pick. The tooth pick should come out clean. Cool them completely on a wire rack.

Frosting:

1. While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting.
2. Take the whipping cream in a bowl and beat with an electric blender until you get stiff peaks.
3. If you need to check the cream, tilt the bowl. The cream should stay kaput and should not fall down. 
4. Pipe the frosting on to the cooled cuppies.

Njoy with your loved ones...

Luv...

Champa