Jam and cream butterfly cupcakes for National Cupcake Day 2016

Remember earlier this month when I announced that today, February 29th, is Canada’s fourth National Cupcake Day – raising money for SPCAs and Humane Societies across the country? That’s right –  today is all about cupcakes – and raising money to help animals in need all around Canada.

I’m thrilled to announce that I have surpassed my fundraising goal already but am hoping that this recipe might raise even more funds for a great cause.  As I’m not able to host a bake sale today, I’m hosting a  virtual/ in real life event – posting the recipe here and “in real life” I’ll take them to work today to share with my colleagues (because, well, Monday morning).

Today I’m sharing a recipe for simple vanilla cupcakes made a little bit fancy as I’ve turned them into butterfly cupcakes. These were something that I used to love as a kid and mum and I were recently talking about how much we used to enjoy (making and eating) them, so I wanted to give them a shot. The cake is a simple vanilla butter cake. Then the real magic starts…

First, you cut a small circle out of the top of the cupcakes. Then you put about a teaspoon of jam inside the cake…

Then you fill them with either whipped cream or, in this case, cream cheese frosting…

Then you cut the little rounds of cake you removed from the top in halves to form “wings”…

Then, if you’re me, you top them with some 100s and 1000s (that’s nonpareils to those of you not from Australia)…

I was really pleased with how these came out. Just like my childhood!

Yield: 10

Jam and cream butterfly cupcakes

Print

Vanilla butterfly cupcakes with jam and creamy frosting.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 100g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 100g granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon (15mls) pure vanilla extract
• 100g self-raising flour
• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder

For the frosting:

• 50g cream cheese, room temperature
• 50g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 100g icing sugar, sifted

To assemble:

• 10 teaspoons (approximately) jam
• 100s and 1000s (nonpareils

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F/ 180˚C.
2. Line a muffin tray with 10 cupcake liners.
3. Beat the butter using an electric hand beater until soft and creamy.
4. Add the sugar and beat at high speed until light and fluffy.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
6. Sift over the flour and baking powder and use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet until just incorporated. The batter will be quite thick.
7. Use a cookie scoop to portion out the mixture evenly between the cupcake liners.
8. Bake for 25 minutes until the cakes are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
9. Transfer to a cooling rack and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, make the frosting:

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter and icing sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Place in a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.

To assemble:

1. Once the cakes are cooled, use a small knife to slice a round out of the centre of each cake and carefully remove.
2. Place a teaspoon of jam in the cavity, then top with the frosting.
3. Cut each cake round in half then place on the frosting to make “wings”.
4. Sprinkle with 100s and 1000s (nonpareils) if you wish.

did you make this recipe?

please leave a comment or review on the blog or share a photo and tag me on Instagram @eatlivtravwrite !

Help me support animals in need!

Today, I’ll be sharing these cupcakes with my colleagues in return for donations.  However, if you like the look of the recipe here today, you’re welcome to donate too. If you’d like to visit my “online bakery”,  head to my personal page on the National Cupcake Day website, where you will be able to donate to the cause.

Donations will help shelters across Canada give a surrendered cat or dog a new forever home, rescue a neglected or abused animal and give them a second chance at a new life, and provide emergency surgery injured animals. Go on, the cats and dogs of Canada will thank you

Other cupcakes you might also enjoy:
National Cupcake Day 2013: Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2014: Jaffington Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2015: Little Orange and Almond Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2016: Jam and Cream Butterfly Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2017: Strawberry Yoghurt Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2018: Double Chocolate Buckwheat Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2019: Fudge-y Chocolate Cupcakes
National Cupcake Day 2020: Lemon-Blueberry Financiers

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