Last week I was given my first paid cupcake challenge…..birthday cupcakes for 3 year old twins that love Peppa Pig and Trains. So I put my thinking cap on and did some searching on the internet. A lot of images came up of cupcakes with flat images but I wanted to do more. And then I came across a video on youtube showing how to make a fondant Peppa Pig. So that was the challenge for half of the cupcakes.
Looking back at mine, I think Peppa Pig has put on a little weight around the tummy!
The next decision to make was the flavour of the cake. Hmmm…what would a 3 year old like?…Strawberry milkshake. Flavour sorted. (Recipe found in the Hummingbird Bakery Home Sweet Home book)
These cupcakes were really simple and easy to make. I think the hardest part was searching for the milkshake powder in the supermarket!
A how to guide for the Trains can be found *here*.
[callout title=Ingredients for the cake]
- 70g unsalted butter – softened
- 210g plain flour – sifted
- 250g caster sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 210ml milk – full fat
- 2 large eggs
- 40g strawberry milkshake powder
[/callout]
Method:
- Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 3 / 170°C and line the muffin tins with paper muffin cases
- In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment mix the butter, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together until they form a crumb like consistency
- In a jug, mix together the milk, eggs and strawberry milkshake powder
- With the mixer on a slow speed, gradually pour half of the liquid into the crumb mixture and mix thoroughly until combined
- Raise the speed of the mixer to medium and beat until the batter is smooth and thick
- Once all the lumps are gone, turn the speed back down and gradually pour in the remaining liquid, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and combined
- Spoon the batter into the prepared cake cases filling them two-thirds full (I use an ice cream scoop to make it easier and more even)
- Bake for 20-25 minutes
- Leave to cool slightly before removing them from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool before icing
[callout title=Ingredients for the frosting]
- 500g icing sugar – sifted
- 160g unsalted butter – softened
- 50ml milk
- 100g strawberry milkshake powder
[/callout]
Method:
- In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment gradually mix together the icing sugar and butter on a low speed until combined and there are no large lumps of butter
- In a jug, mix together the milk and strawberry milkshake powder
- Gradually pour the liquid into the frosting while mixing on a slow speed
- Add a dash of green food colouring
- Turn the mixer up to a high speed and beat the frosting until light and fluffy
Method for the grass:
- Use a grass nozzle to pipe out the frosting onto the cakes. I found this stage quite difficult so would recommend adding slightly more milk to the mixture to soften it up so it comes out of the nozzle easier.
[callout title=Ingredients for Peppa Pig]
- Fondant Icing
- Pink, Red, black food colouring
- Edible glue
- Edible black ink pen
[/callout]
Method:
- Divide up the fondant and colour each part using the food colourings. This is what I did for each step…
Make the bodies (mine are a little fat!)
Shape the heads by rolling a ball and then slowly pinching out one end. Use a cocktail stick to make the nostrils
Make small oval shapes for the ears. use a cocktail stick to make a small indent and fold in the make an ear shape. Stick onto the head with edible glue
Make the arms by rolling out the fondant and making a cut at the ends
Roll out legs and add stick little black shoes on the ends. Sit the body on the legs and stick them with edible glue
Roll small pieces of white fondant and stick them on the face with edible glue. Add the black dot using an edible ink pen
Add a small smile and use a small paintbrush to dab food colouring on for the cheeks
And there you have it – cute little edible Peppa Pigs for your cupcakes! Sit her in the grass and wait for everyone’s ooohs and ahs!
[…] A guide on how to make Peppa Pig can be found *here* […]