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Mary Berry’s Simple Cupcake Recipe Enhanced with a Surprise Ingredient
Elevate your baking game with a simple yet decadent cupcake recipe from baking icon Mary Berry. The celebrated cook reveals that a single “surprise” ingredient can transform ordinary cupcakes into spectacular treats, enhancing both flavor and visual appeal. Discover how to create these delightful lemon and strawberry cupcakes for your next special occasion.
Transform Your Cupcakes with Lemon and Strawberries
Renowned for her baking expertise, Mary Berry shares her recipe for taking cupcakes to the next level. Moving beyond the standard vanilla sponge, Berry infuses her cupcakes with the bright zest of lemon and a scattering of freeze-dried strawberries. This combination delivers a delightful sweet and zesty flavor profile, ensuring a surprising burst of taste in every bite.
Easy All-in-One Sponge Base
In a YouTube video demonstrating the recipe, Mary explains, “My next recipe is a divine idea to transform a simple cupcake.” She continues, “These are lemony cupcakes which I’ve added some freeze-dried strawberries to, so it’s all a bit of a surprise when you get inside.” The cupcake base is an uncomplicated, all-in-one sponge mixture requiring:
- Two eggs
- 100g of baking spread (or softened butter as an alternative)
- 150g of caster sugar
- 150g of self-raising flour
Using room temperature ingredients is crucial, as it facilitates emulsification and air incorporation, contributing to a lighter, fluffier cake texture.
The Secret to Fluffy Cupcakes
Achieving a light and airy texture hinges on thoroughly creaming the butter and sugar. This step is essential for creating cupcakes that are not only flavorful but also delightfully fluffy. Ensure this stage is executed correctly for the best results.
Adding the Flavor Burst
Mary incorporates lemon zest for a citrusy note, followed by three tablespoons of milk and 7g of freeze-dried strawberries. She emphasizes, “The ingredient that takes these [cupcakes] out of the everyday is freeze-dried strawberries. You get a wonderful flavour of the strawberry and it’s lovely to come across.” These strawberries contribute a concentrated burst of fruitiness and visual appeal.
Baking to Perfection
The batter should be whisked until it achieves a “pale and creamy” consistency. Subsequently, distribute the mixture evenly into a muffin tin and bake at 160C for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Unconventional Meringue Topping and Lemon Curd Filling
For a unique finish, Mary prepares an “unconventional” meringue topping using two egg whites and 100g of caster sugar. To further enhance the flavor, she adds a “luscious” lemon curd filling to each cupcake. This combination of meringue and lemon curd creates a delightful contrast in textures and tastes.
The Spectacular Finishing Touch
To complete these show-stopping cupcakes, Mary employs a blowtorch to gently toast the meringue, adding a touch of caramelized sweetness and visual flair. Finally, a sprinkle of freeze-dried strawberries is added for extra decoration and an intensified strawberry essence.
A Show-Stopping Treat
Mary concludes, “They look really spectacular. I reckon these are a real show-off, perfect for that special tea. That’s wickedly delicious.” These lemon and strawberry cupcakes, with their surprise ingredient and elegant presentation, are sure to impress on any occasion.