Tarek Malouf - The Hummingbird Bakery Home Sweet Home - 100 new recipes for baking brilliance

8. Spoon the batter into the prepared paper cases, filling them two-thirds full. Using a 50ml (1¾fl oz) ice-cream scoop can make this process easier and will result in even cupcakes. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and the sponge bounces back when lightly touched. Leave to cool slightly before removing from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

9. While the cupcakes are baking, make the custard. Place the milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil. In a bowl, mix together the egg yolks, vanilla extract, sugar, flour and cornflour to make a paste, adding 1 tablespoon of the hot milk to thin if necessary.

10. When the milk has boiled, remove the pan from the heat and mix 4–5 tablespoons with the egg and flour paste, then pour this back into the pan with the remaining hot milk and return to the heat.

11. Bring back up to the boil, whisking constantly, and continue to boil for a further 3–4 minutes to ensure the flour and cornflour are fully cooked. However, be careful not to overcook or the eggs may begin to scramble. Remove from the heat and immediately pour the custard into a baking tray. Cover at once with cling film and set aside to cool completely.

12. Using the freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or the hand-held electric whisk, make the frosting by gradually mixing the icing sugar and butter together on a low speed until combined and there are no large lumps of butter. Gradually pour in the milk and vanilla extract, while mixing on a slow speed. When all the liquid is incorporated, turn the mixer up to a high speed and beat the frosting until light and fluffy. Colour the frosting a very pale yellow using liquid food colouring, mixing it through until all of the frosting is the same shade.

13. To assemble the mini cookies for decoration, place a small amount of the prepared frosting in a piping bag. Lay out half the cooled cookies on a tray. Pipe a small amount of frosting onto each cookie, and then sandwich together with the remaining cookies.

14. Once the cupcakes are cool, use a sharp knife to make a hollow in the centre of each cupcake, approximately 2cm (¾in) in diameter and about 3cm (1¼in) deep. Retain the cut-out piece of sponge. Spoon about 1–2 teaspoons of the custard into the hollow and replace the cut-out piece of sponge, trimming to fit and pressing down gently to ensure that the top is level with the rest of the cake.

15. Spoon generous amounts of the frosting onto each cupcake, then gently smooth over with a palette knife, making a swirl at the top if you wish. Top each cupcake with a mini custard cream sandwich cookie.

Caramel, hazelnuts and chocolate are a delicious combination. These cupcakes take a little time to make but are perfect as a gift or for a celebration. You can make the praline up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container.

MAKES 12–16 CUPCAKES

FOR THE SPONGE

70g (2½oz) UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

170g (6oz) PLAIN FLOUR

250g (9oz) CASTER SUGAR

50g (1¾oz) COCOA POWDER, SIFTED

1 tbsp BAKING POWDER

½ tsp SALT

210ml (7½fl oz) WHOLE MILK

2 LARGE EGGS

FOR THE FROSTING

450g (1lb) ICING SUGAR, SIFTED

60g (2oz) COCOA POWDER, SIFTED

150g (5½oz) UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

60ml (2fl oz) WHOLE MILK

FOR THE PRALINE

65g (2oz) CHOPPED HAZELNUTS

130g (4½oz) CASTER SUGAR

50ml (1¾fl oz) WATER

EQUIPMENT

ONE OR TWO 12-HOLE DEEP MUFFIN TINS

1. Preheat the oven to 170 °C (325°F), Gas mark 3, and line the muffin tins with paper muffin cases to make the number you require.

2. First make the sponge. In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or using a hand-held electric whisk, mix the butter, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt together until they form a crumb-like consistency.

3. In a jug, mix together the milk and eggs by hand.

4. With the mixer or whisk on a slow speed, gradually pour half of the liquid into the crumb mixture and mix thoroughly until combined. Raise the speed to medium and mix until the batter is smooth and thick, with no lumps. Scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time. Once all lumps are gone, turn the speed back down and gradually pour in the remaining liquid, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and combined.

5. Spoon the batter into the prepared paper cases, filling them two-thirds full. Using a 50ml (1¾fl oz) ice-cream scoop can make this process easier and will result in even cupcakes.

6. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly touched. Leave to cool slightly before removing from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

7. Using the freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or the hand-held electric whisk, gradually mix the icing sugar, cocoa powder and butter together on a low speed until combined and there are no large lumps of butter. Gradually add the milk while mixing on a slow speed. Increase the speed and beat the frosting until light and fluffy.

8. For the praline, line a baking tray with baking parchment and spread the chopped hazelnuts evenly in the tray. Place the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Allow the mixture to bubble for about 15 minutes until it forms a golden caramel. Do not stir while the mixture is boiling or the caramel will crystallise; just gently swirl the pan from time to time.

9. Once the caramel is ready, carefully pour it over the chopped nuts, making sure all the nuts are covered. Allow this to cool and set completely. Once cold and set, break up the praline into small chunks, then use a food processor to chop up the praline into fine pieces. (This praline needs to be stored in an airtight container if not using straight away.)

10. Once the cupcakes are cool, spoon generous amounts of the frosting onto each cupcake, then gently smooth over with a palette knife, making a swirl at the top if you wish. Sprinkle each cupcake with a generous amount of praline.

The rose-flavoured custard in these cakes is irresistible. You can find rose water in larger supermarkets, Middle Eastern food shops or online.

MAKES 12–16 CUPCAKES

FOR THE SPONGE

70g (2½oz) UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

170g (6oz) PLAIN FLOUR

250g (9oz) CASTER SUGAR

50g (1¾oz) COCOA POWDER, SIFTED

1 tbsp BAKING POWDER

½ tsp SALT

210ml (7½fl oz) WHOLE MILK

2 LARGE EGGS

2 tbsp ROSE WATER

FOR THE CUSTARD

330ml (11½fl oz) WHOLE MILK

1 tbsp ROSE WATER

3 LARGE EGG YOLKS

60g (2oz) CASTER SUGAR

20g (¾oz) PLAIN FLOUR

20g (¾oz) CORNFLOUR

FOR THE FROSTING

450g (1lb) ICING SUGAR, SIFTED

60g (2oz) COCOA POWDER, SIFTED

150g (5½oz) UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED

60ml (2fl oz) WHOLE MILK

2 tbsp ROSE WATER

FOR THE DECORATION

SLICED PINK TURKISH DELIGHT

EQUIPMENT

ONE OR TWO 12-HOLE DEEP MUFFIN TINS

1. Preheat the oven to 170 °C (325°F), Gas mark 3, and line the muffin tins with paper muffin cases to make the number you require.

2. First make the sponge. In a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment or using a hand-held electric whisk, mix the butter, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt together until they form a crumb-like consistency.