I neglected to add the recipe for the fairy cakes in my last post. They were very good! The recipe is from "Cupcakes!" by Elinor Klovans - the book is pictured here from a few posts ago. For anyone who has the book, the cupcakes (fairy cakes) are on pg. 23 and the frosting is on pg 34.
easy-mix yellow cupcake batter
Batter for 12 regular cupcakes, 9 big-top cupcakes, 6 extra-large cupcakes, or 42 mini-cupcakes
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 23 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes prior to frosting.
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola or corn oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream (I used low fat)
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg, yolk, and sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream color, about 2 minutes.
Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. On low speed, mix in the oil and vanilla until blended. Mix in the sour cream until no white streaks remain. Mix in the flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter is smooth. The batter is ready to bake.
Fill each paper liner with a scant 1/4 cup of batter, to about 1/2 inch below the top of the liner. Bake just until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 23 minutes.
Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
Decorations or additions such as colored sugar, sprinkles, finely chopped chocolate, etc.
In a a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract together with 3 tablespoons milk, then add up to 1 tablespoon more milk if needed to form a creamy, smooth, spreadable frosting.
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Evy and I decided to have a tea party at the park near us, right next to a duck pond. Evy's friends Sophie, and Mr. Barrington also attended said tea party. Mr. Barrington does love a good tea party.
This is Evy's summer bedspread. It reminds me of summer nights of years past - a soft breeze fluttering through the curtains, crickets chirping, the smell of lilacs wafting through the opened window. I found it at an antique store in North Dakota a couple of years ago in anticipation of Evy's big girl bed. I really like it. And as you can see, Sophie changed from her tea party clothes to her riding ensemble. Such is the life of a society girl.
Hope you're having a great weekend! And thank you so much for the well wishes, and the welcome back messages. I very much appreciate it - you guys are so wonderful :o)
