QUEEN CAKES

 

---

This Recipe Makes 12-14 Cupcakes

---

 

Queen Cakes are a luscious, buttery, sweet & decadent form of cupcakes which were a nineteenth century tea-party favorite. They are much richer & more indulgent to the modern cupcake.

These cakes evolved from the British creation called Portugal cakes, which towards the end of the seventeenth century, began gracing fine banqueting tables in England & America. These tiny cakes were known as Queen Cakes by the late eighteenth century.

Growing up, my mum used to always prepare these treat for us & I always devoured them. Usually, Queen cakes aren’t very much decorated as compared to cupcakes. Cupcakes tend to have dollops of icing on top whereas the Queen cake will most of the time be served plain or with sprinkles on top.

Queen Cakes Ingredients:

• 250 grams butter/margarine, room temperature
• 5 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups castor sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup warm milk
• Sprinkles (100’s & 1000’s) for decorating – optional

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C or 356°F.
2. Add butter/margarine to a mixing bowl.
3. 
4. Thereafter, add in the castor sugar.
5. 
6. Cream together until well combined.
7. 
8. Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing after every egg.
9. Crack the 1st egg in.
10. 
11. Mix.
12. 
13. Crack in the 2nd egg.
14. 
15. Mix.
16. 
17. In goes the 3rd egg.
18. 
19. Mix.
20. 
21. 4th egg goes in.
22. 
23. Mix.
24. 
25. Finally, crack in the 5th egg.
26. 
27. Mix,
28. 
29. Next, add in the salt & baking powder.
30. 
31. Add in the all purpose flour.
32. 
33. Pour in the warm milk. (Milk may be heated in the microwave oven for 30 seconds to a minute, depending on your appliance).
34. 
35. Add in the vanilla essence.
36. 
37. Fold well, using a wooden spoon until you get a batter – do not over mix.
38. 
39. Next, line a muffin tray with cupcake liners, this can be omitted but I feel it gives a good look to the Queen Cakes.
40. 
41. Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, avoiding any spillage over the ends.
42. 
43. Next, this step is optional, but I feel that it gives these Queen Cakes a pretty look to it. Sprinkle over some 100’s & 1000’s.
44. 
45. Place these cakes into the preheated oven & allow to bake for 15 minutes.
46. 
47. They should be nice & golden once baked.
48. 
49. Insert a toothpick/skewer in the middle of one of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are ready.
50. 
51. 
52. Allow to cool for a few minutes before removing these cakes from the tray.
53. 
54. Serve as is or with a glass of milk or a hot drink.
55. 
56. 
57. 
58. These Queen Cakes can be stored in a airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.
59. 
60.