Nothing beats the taste of a freshly baked cupcake or muffin, or the anticipation of a delicious treat as the aroma of home baking permeates the kitchen. These home-baked little cakes are universally popular, and there are sweet and savoury flavours to suit all tastes, from simple fruit muffins to fabulous and elaborately decorated cupcakes. This beautiful book presents more than 150 recipes for cupcakes and muffins as well as plenty of different serving suggestions and topping ideas. There are ideas here for breakfast muffins, savoury muffins, teatime cake treats, fruity cakes, sweet and indulgent cakes, as well as an inspiring chapter on cupcakes for celebrations. Start the day with Honey and Yoghurt Muffins or Apricot and Orange Buns at breakfast-time and enjoy savoury bakes such as Chilli Cheese Muffins with soup or on their own. Relax with a cup of hot coffee and treat yourself to a Gooey Butterscotch Cake or a Double Chocolate Muffin. There are plenty of fruity recipes - try making classic Blueberry Muffins or sticky Citrus Syrup Cupcakes. When something a little bit special is called for, try Madeleine Cakes with Raspberry Buttercream or rich Chocolate Truffle Muffins. On special occasions, guests will be delighted with Christening Cupcakes or Halloween Muffins with Spooky Frosting! The final chapter details all the basic ingredients and equipment required and presents basic cake mixtures that can be used as the basis for any recipe. A fabulous array of ideas for toppings follows, including vanilla, raspberry, chestnut and cocoa, lemon creme fraiche, Seville orange, pistachio and rosewater, American cream cheese frosting, and espresso coffee and mascarpone. Glace icings for cupcakes are tinted and flavoured with crushed berries, extracts and liqueurs. Simple decorations can be made of frosted fresh fruits, crystallized flowers, coloured and moulded marzipan, as well as rolled and stamped-out fondant icing shapes, and piped melted chocolate ideas offer more lavish sweet-toothed toppings. Every recipe and technique is clearly explained with the aid of beautiful photographs. There are cook's tips, variations, and nutritional breakdowns throughout. Whether you are an experienced baker or novice cook, and with plenty of ideas for children to try, this book will be a welcome addition to your kitchen shelf.
