Jaffa Cupcakes

Last Friday was ‘Red Nose Day’ so I did my bit by buying my red nose and packet of Jaffas and was inspired to make Jaffa flavoured cupcakes. I think I will have to be better organised next year and do some baking to donate for sale like my lovely friend Julie from ‘A Slice In The Life Of Julie’. Being a time starved Mum I needed it to be quick and easy so I adapted my ‘Easy Peasy Chocolate Cake’ recipe yet again!

1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ cups flour
1 egg
½ cup milk
150g butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2½ teaspoons natural orange essence 
Pinch of salt
½ cup boiling water
60g shaved dark chocolate

Place all ingredients in a bowl EXCEPT the water and chocolate.
Add water to all the other ingredients and mix.  Once you have a nicely combined batter add the chocolate and stir through.
Place batter into 18 cupcake papers and bake in a 180°C oven (fan bake).

I topped mine with a chocolate orange buttercream icing, some bitter sweet orange sugar crystals and a jaffa. 

To make buttercream icing you will need:
125g butter (room temperature)
2 tablespoons cocoa
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon natural orange essence
3-4 cups icing sugar (sifted)

Beat the butter until it is light and fluffy and add in the first 2 cups of icing sugar as well as one tablespoon of milk and the orange essence and mix well.  Continue to add the rest of your icing sugar gradually as well as the second tablespoon of milk until it reaches a consistency you are happy with (my icing was very light and fluffy).  Pipe or spoon onto your cupcakes and decorate as desired.

* Due to the fact we have received several questions about the buttercream frosting I am thinking that I will attempt to produce a video tutorial for you all when I get a chance – so keep and eye out for it!

 
If you missed red nose day but would like to donate to Cure Kids just click on the link and it will explain how, they are doing awesome work helping fund research into life threatening childhood illnesses in New Zealand.