Cupcakes For Lovers !!!

Strawberries and champagne are traditional treat for the Valentine’s Day. What if you blend them in cupcakes? Go ahead and prepare them for your Valentine.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

- 300 g plain flour 

- 40 g cocoa powder 

- 1 teaspoon baking powder 

- 1 teaspoon baking soda 

- 240 ml buttermilk 

- 1 teaspoon edible red colour 

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

- 125 g butter, room temperature 

- 250 g caster sugar 

- 2 eggs 

- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar For the cream: 

- 300 g icing sugar 

- 125 g creamy cheese 

- 50 g butter 

- 5 tablespoons champagne 

- 2 gelatine leafs 

For the filling:

-  14 teaspoons strawberry jam

Preparation method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line 14-hole baking tray with the paper cases. 

2. Cream the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well combined. 

3. In separate bowl combine the cocoa powder, red food colouring and vanilla extract. Make thick dark paste. 

4. Add to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly until evenly combined and coloured. Turn the mixer speed down and add half of buttermilk. Beat until well mixed. 

5. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a bowl. Fold half of the flour into mixture and beat until well combined. 

6. Continue the process until all buttermilk and flour are well incorporated. Mix at high speed, to get smooth mixture. 

7. Turn the mixer speed down and add white vinegar. Beat well until completely mixed. 

8. Spoon the mixture into paper cases to 1/3 full and place 1 spoon of the jam. Cover with the rest of mixture, but do not overdue (to 2/3 full) and bake for 20-25 minutes. Leave on wire rack to cool. 

9. For the cream beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the cream cheese and beat again. 

10. Soak the gelatine according to instructions and place into mixture. 

11. Mix with the electric whisk at the high speed and add champagne. Continue whisking until mixture is fluffy. 

12. Leave in refrigerator for half an hour. 

13. Pipe the mixture into piping bag with medium size star-shaped nozzle and pipe the cream onto cupcakes. 

14. Decorate with small fondant hearts or sprinkle with chopped strawberries.