Lavender Earl Grey Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream

Recently I'm been thinking through how I can incorporate new flavours into my cooking. And yes, that does mean I'll have to come up with another option that isn't just sprinkles. 100s and 1000s versus chocolate sprinkles and everything in between has had such a centre place in this house. 

For anyone not familiar with the amazing wonderland that is the Essential Ingredient I highly recommend a visit. It really is a great place for new inspiration and all those baking and cooking things that you really "must have" urgently. 

Unfortunately the lime green fondant 1kg roll that was most certainly needed at the time still remains unused in the baking trolley. 

This was the beginning of the lavender experimentation and worked well with some tea I had in the cupboard - and who doesn't love an excuse the pick up a heap of white chocolate from the supermarket for blog work. 

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Lavender Earl Grey Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream
by October-14-2015
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • 1 cup castor sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup earl grey tea
Instructions
Sift together flour and baking powder and set aside. Cream butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl on high for 5 minutes.Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each. Steep half a cup of hot water with 4 early grey tea bags for 10 minutes. Discard tea bags. Alternate a third of the flour mixture with the cooled tea mixture. Spoon the mixture into 12 cupcake cases. Bake at 180 degrees for 18 minutes. Leave to cool before icing.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 12
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Chocolate Buttercream
by October-14-2015
Ingredients
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup cocoa
  • 4 cups icing sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
Cream the butter for 2 minutes with electric mixer. Add half the cocoa and icing sugar and mix well. Add milk and remaining icing sugar and cocoa and mix well. With a large round nozzle and piping bag, pipe onto the top of cooled cupcakes in a soft serve swirl.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: enough for 12 cupcakes
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White Chocolate Lavender Shards
by October-14-2015
Cheats tempering free chocolate shards
Ingredients
  • 200g white chocolate melts
  • 1 tablespoon lavender (food quality)
Instructions
Melt chocolate in the microwave, checking at one minute intervals. Spread melted chocolate over baking paper and sprinkle with lavender. When cooled, shatter white chocolate with a large sharp knife. Place through the buttercream.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: