I couldn’t help myself! I was busy editing an article for quick and easy desserts when this adorable email appeared in my inbox. The subject read  “how to make cupcakes” and per usual the word cupcake required my immediate attention. It was cute, adorable, messy and perfect. Right away I knew I would not be able to resist sharing it with you.  I am certain some of you will already have seen these pictures but still I thought it would fit perfectly with my dessert article and I had a feeling that all other fanatical cupcake followers will appreciate, adore and possibly get the exact same warm fuzzy feeling I got when I saw it.

photography by: Source unknown

And since I am in the sharing frame of mind and you are all probably wondering how the move went, I will share with you that I had my own cute mischievous helpers. They made bigger messes, had me running all over the place and stretched out the whole process, but they made me laugh hysterically through all of it. Here are some snaps of my four legged babies, aren’t they just adorable?  I am happy to say that all four of us are settled in nicely into our new home and I am even happier to report that I am back in the kitchen and into the swing of things. Yee-ha!

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photography by: Louis Hiemstra

Still a fashionable trend around the globe, these chic and dainty cakes are as delicious as they are charming. Better yet they are simple to make and fun to dress up.

Makes:12
Preparation: 10 minutes
Baking: 15-20 minutes

125g (4.5 oz) butter, softened
160g (5.6 oz) castor sugar
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 eggs, lightly beaten
180g (6.3 oz) self-raising flour
½ cup milk

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a 12-hole medium muffin tray with paper cases.
Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with an electric beater until pale and creamy, about 5 minutes.
Gradually add the eggs and beat well. 
Sift in the flour, add the milk and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is just combined.
Spoon the batter ¾ full into the lined cupcake papers and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and allow to cool.
Decorate as desired or follow the recipes below.

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Easy hints and tips on how to make and beautify your own cupcakes.

Cupcakes do’s and don’ts:

• Bring ingredients such as butter, eggs and milk to room temperature before you start, for ease of incorporation.
• Prepare your cupcake moulds by lining with cupcake papers or buttering and lightly flouring the moulds.
• Make sure your butter is soft but not melted. Coarsely chop the butter while it is cold and set aside minutes before you start.
• Scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl regularly to prevent lumps in the batter.
• Beat the butter, sugar and eggs with an electric mixer, but stir in the dry ingredients and milk by hand to avoid overworking the batter.
• Fill moulds to ¾ full or 5-8mm (¼ inch) below tops, unless otherwise specified to leave room for rising.
• Place the Baking tray or muffin tins in the centre of oven.  The muffin tin can also be turned halfway through the cooking time to ensure even bakin.
• Remove cupcakes baked in paper cases from the moulds and place on a wire rack to cool. This will avoid sweating.
• Be patient with your cupcaks and let them cool before icing or decorating them.
• A palette knife is one of the best tools when icing cupcakes with soft icings. It has a flexible, long flat blade which ensures even spreading and a smooth surface. Palette knives are available from kitchenware and specialty bake stores.
• Use a piping bag with either a star or plain nozzle to pipe various shapes onto your cupcakes.
• Remember to always have fun when baking and decorating your baby cakes!

photography by: Louis Hiemstra

Ever notice how the words "Let's go on a picnic" light up faces and bring a sparkle to people's eyes. A picnic evokes feelings of excitement, its shrieks "let's have fun"!

Why not break the routine of daily life and spoil that special person in your life. It needn't be Valentine's day, an anniversary or a birthday, it can be any day, anywhere. Best of all picnic foods are simple to prepare and can be prepared in advance.

Picnic essentials:

• Picnic blanket or beach carpet
• Umbrella (daytime)
• Eating utensils (if applicable) and paper cups
• Can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, matches, candles, paper bags (as necessary)
• Garbage bags and Ziploc bags for left over’s
• Paper towels, napkins or wet wipes
• Camera to capture special moments
• Toothpicks

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