Friday, March 11, 2011

Cappuccinos and Cupcakes

Or both in one.


The minute I spotted these adorable silicone cupcake cases by Fred at Selfridge's, I snatched them. I could just imagine all the different scenarios I'd create with these teacups: elegant garden parties, a breakfast snack, an optical illusion..





Last week, I got this idea to make cupcakes in them and frost them in a way so that they look like the froth on a cappuccino. I was extremely adamant to capture them in natural light and so I baked the cupcakes last night and made the frosting this morning. Well, I didn't make the frosting. I bought the frosting. Shocking, isn't it? I had a huge internal battle with myself over that. But the pros outweighed the cons and so I crossed over to the dark side. Just for today though. I didn't have much time, and I really wanted the frosting to be perfect.. so I opted to use ready frosting. The idea of it is so appealing to the time-constrained.. Just frost it on! No mess, no dishes to wash, no consistency to get right. But no, I will not use ready frosting again. SIGH. Anyways, I frosted the cupcakes with Betty Crocker's rainbow chip frosting.. The pastel multicoloured quality of the frosting made the cupcakes look super cute.

I sort of compensated for using ready made frosting by using a recipe that I had developed myself.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
120g butter
120g caster sugar
120g self raising flour
2 eggs
1 and 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons cocoa powder.

Procedure:
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Sift flour into mixture and fold in. Add vanilla extract, stir. In a small bowl mix cocoa powder with milk and stir (not thoroughly though... do not dissolve the cocoa entirely..) Add cocoa/milk mixture to batter and stir well. Yields about 9 cupcakes.. (five regular paper cased ones, and four silicon cupcake mould ones) Baking time around 12-15 minutes at 180C.






I had a lovely time styling these today though. Sorry if the pictures are repetitive.. I'm really proud of them though! There's nothing like using unobstructed natural lighting! Whenever I manage to take pictures of food it's always at night.. or outdoors with sunlight that's too harsh.. or in rooms where the sunlight enters but isn't that bright. I used the window of my bedroom for these shots today. I didn't add a diffuser with a soft sheer curtain either. I just positioned the table in such a way it caught the best lighting. And I experimented a lot with shutter speeds, ISOs, exposures, and apertures..















13 comments:

  1. So adorable and your photography is incredible as usual. I also love this recipe. Simply lovely x

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  2. Love what you did up the top! Yummy!

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  3. awww! those are super cool. and the photos are really beautiful, nice work!

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  4. Great idea and wonderful photos. They look perfect.

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  5. Beautiful pics Sid - I want to sink a spoon into that icing (even though I'm not a fan of Betty Crocker!)

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  6. Sid...these pictures are beautiful. I love the fifth from the top. You should definately submit to Foodgawker :) And those silicone cups are to die for. One more thing to steal form your house :)

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  7. haha you deifnitely took too many pics and they're all delightful. outstandingly pretty cupcake cases...elegant and quaint is how i would describe your pics. keep it up!

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  8. Omg, I totally love those reusable cupcake cases- so soooo cute! The pictures have come out excellent. Nothing can compare with natural light, huh? Hey let me know if you are interested in more info on food styling and photography, k. Take care, sweetie!

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  9. I missed this post! And how pretty is it? I love the cases

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  10. Anonymous28/3/11 13:22

    Hello! The cakes look absolutely DARLING!! I looooved the silicone molds, and have been looking to purchase a set or two online! But from the reviews, apparently they stain pretty easily after only one use. Is this true? I'd really appreciate it if you can advise on how they worked out for you! Would hate to spend $18 on a set of four when I wouldn't be able to re-use them for when I have guests. Any help will be appreciated!! xx

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  11. Hi! Thank you! :) Well they're perfect! You just have to make sure that you don't grease them a lot for oil/butter stains to stay.

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  12. Anonymous28/3/11 21:03

    Thank you so much for the quick response!! Am definitely getting me a couple of sets!! :))

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  13. so yummy!!!I love your cute cupcake cases:)

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