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Disney Pixar Cars – Lightning McQueen Cupcakes

February 2, 2014 by rachel Leave a Comment

[schema type=”recipe” name=”Disney Pixar Cars – Lightning McQueen Cupcakes” author=”Rachel Howard” pubdate=”2014-02-02″ image=”http://www.sundaybaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Cars-700.jpg” description=”Fluffy red velvet cupcakes with a sweet white chocolate frosting. Topped with home made Lightning McQueen’s! ” prephours=”3″ cookmins=”18″ yield=”18″ ]

These delightful cupcakes were simple to make and look great at a party. I was asked to make some for a little boys 2nd birthday and I hope he enjoys them!

Not having any children ourselves, I love the challenge of making children’s birthday cakes. I totally understand that some mums think it’s important to bake their own child’s birthday cake, but to be honest, I really don’t understand how you find the time. I casually made these little Lightning McQueens on Friday evening and then made the cupcakes and decorated them on Saturday afternoon so it’s not like they took ages but sometimes I don’t know how you mums do it.

If you decide to make these, this is how I did it…

I made Red Velvet cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery with a white chocolate frosting.

Cars-side-close-700

[callout title=Ingredients for the Red Velvet Sponge:]

  • 120g unsalted butter – softened
  • 300g caster sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 20g cocoa powder
  • 40ml red food colouring (such as Dr Oetker) – yes this amount is correct!!***
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 300g plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 240ml buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (although I used cider vinegar as it’s all I had)
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

[/callout]

***While writing this post it looks like Dr Oetker have discontinued their red food colouring. I used a bottle I had in my cupboard so I cannot comment on what you could use as a substitute. They do have a gel colouring now, but I am unsure how much you would need. They also have a natural red colouring but it sounds like it’s not as vibrant and may not give you the colour you want. Please comment below if you find the answer!

Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 190C and line a muffin tray with cases
  • Using a handheld electric whisk or a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy
  • Break in the eggs one at a time, beating together thoroughly after each addition
  • In a separate small bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, food colouring and vanilla to form a paste
  • Add the paste to the batter and mix until completely incorporated
  • Sift together the flour and salt in a mother bowl
  • Add the flour to the batter in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk and mixing thoroughly after each addition
  • In another small bowl, mix together the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda by hand and add it to the batter. Mix until fully incorporated
  • Spoon the batter into the paper cases so that they are two-thirds full
  • Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting

[callout title=Ingredients for the White Chocolate Frosting:]

  • 170g white chocolate – melted and slightly cooled
  • 230g unsalted butter – softened to room temperature
  • 240g icing sugar
  • 60ml extra thick double cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt

[/callout]

Method:

  •  In a medium bowl using a hand held or stand alone mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for 1 minute
  • Switch the mixer to low speed and slowly add the icing sugar
  • Quickly stir the cooled white chocolate so that it’s smooth and add to the butter/sugar mixture
  • Switch the mixer to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes until thick and creamy
  • Add the cream, vanilla extract and salt
  • Beat for 1 minute until combined

Cars-front-700

[callout title=Ingredients for Lightning McQueen:]

  • Red fondant – car body
  • Black fondant – wheels and windows
  • Yellow fondant – lightning strike/lights
  • White fondant – face
  • Blue fondant – eyes
  • Edible Glue
  • Circle cutters for the wheels/eyes – I used a pen lid and a straw
  • Toothpick
  • Small sharp knife

[/callout]

A simple way to get all the icing colours is to buy a pack of ready coloured icing.

As you can see, I didn’t use any special equipment to make these. And even the edible glue could be substituted for water. It’s not as strong, but it would help pieces stick together!

Unfortunately I didn’t remember to take photos of making these cars, but I just followed this great tutorial.

I only made a few cars, and then topped the rest of the cupcakes with fondant number 2’s and large wheels (that looked a bit like records) spelling out the birthday boys name. Lightning strikes would also be a great idea.

Cars-side-700

As always, when making cupcakes I always make a few extra so I can taste test them. I tried the frosting when I made it and wasn’t keen, but when eating both the cake and frosting together, it works. Beautiful moist and fluffy cakes with a sweet white chocolate topping.

Filed Under: Cake, Cupcake

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Welcome to Sunday Baking! I started this blog at the start of 2013 and it's taken me on a wonderful journey. A lot has changed in the last few years and you will now see more refined sugar free recipes (although don't worry....if you have a sweet tooth I will still be featuring regular sweet stuff too!).
I no longer post every Sunday, but the recipes I do post are 100% worth trying - if you sign up below I will email you every time I add a new recipe!
Happy Baking!
Rachel x

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  [schema type=”recipe” name=”Banana Boston Cream Cake ” author=”Rachel Howard” pubdate=”2016-01-24″ image=”http://www.sundaybaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Banana-Boston-Cake-Slice2-700-700×394.jpg” description=”A delicious banana sponge cake filled with fresh custard and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. ” prephours=”1″ prepmins=”45″ cookmins=”25″ ] So last week I was meant to bake a cake for the snack bar we set up at work. Unfortunately I was…

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