Butterflly Cake- British #37

Butterfly Cake (Cupcakes)- British #37

Traditional British Butterfly Cakes are a quintessential cupcake that was served at every child's birthday party. Some call them Fairy cakes. A yellow sponge cake with a bit of raspberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream.

Cake/Cupcakes:

1-3/4 c. sugar
1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk, room temperature        

1 T. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
4 large eggs, room temperature

Filling:

raspberry jam
1 c. heavy whipping cream, whipped
powder sugar for dusting

1.  Preheat oven 350F
2. Prepare cupcake tins with paper liners.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
4. In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar slowly-1 min.
5. Increase to high and beat 8 more mins., or until light and fluffy.
6. Add 2 of the eggs, one at a time.
7. Add 1/2 flour mixture.
8. Add 1/2 cup of buttermilk, mix well.
9. Add another egg.
10. Continue to mix; add buttermilk, egg, vanilla and flour.
    
11. Mix on high 2 mins.
12. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full.
13. Bake 25-30 mins.
14. Cool completely.
15. Decorate---Cut our the center of each cupcake, angling the knife at 45 degrees, cut the pieces in  1/2 to resemble butterfly wings.
16. Place a small amount of jam in the hole, followed by a dollop of cream. OR make a buttercream frosting and pipe over jam.
17. Place wings on  top.
18. Dust with powdered sugar.

Results:  This is a fairly easy cake to make. Just a basic yellow sponge cake with a jam filling and whipped cream. I have never beaten the butter and sugar together for as long as 9 minutes. It did become very light and fluffy. I'll need to add that strategy to my repertoire. I ran out of whipped cream for the last 2 cupcakes. I substituted with mascarpone cheese. I liked it better than the whipped cream. Most people thought the butterfly on top looked more like a bow. Either way, the cupckaes were very good. Remember to angle the knife when cutting the top out.
Bottom Line: This is a keeper. It's an easy recipe to make, especially for bake sales or unexpected guest. 

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