I decided to combine a little review of the Cake & Bake (London) show with a recipe for courgette, lemon and lavender cupcakes. I don’t think, in the 2 & 1/2 years I have been writing this blog , I have ever posted a cupcake recipe. Probably because there are so many excellent sweet bakers far more capable than me with a piping bag. And I do see myself as more of a traybake kind of baker.
I have put my own spin on the traditional cupcake by going for veg. Mr.Scott brought home a lone round courgette and two small apples from the allotment this week, so the cupcake flavour was born. Adding lavender fulfils my floral craving in cakes and it’s delicate perfume adds a light, subtle note which is balanced out by the lemon. This little cake recipe is an absolute winner which I hope you will like and maybe even try for yourself.
The Cake & Bake Show
This is a show for cake and bake fans of all ages. It is cake blingtastic. Almost overwhelming in its vast array of sweet treats. If you like cake, then you need this show in your life. Beautiful displays, talented bakers selling their wares, suppliers for your every cake induced whim and experts demonstrating their know-how on various stages throughout the show.
I made a trip down very early on Friday and had the run of the place. Just how I like it. An hour of uninterrupted, cake inspired wandering. I was far more tempted than I could believe by all of the stalls selling pure cake glamour. Shimmers, glitters, pretty packaging, rainbow coloured icing, lots of kitsch vintage goodies including some really pretty stylised retro aprons.
But, I resisted it all until BAKERY BITS. I could have spent serious cash here but fortunately had to travel back on the train, limiting my purchases to dough scrapers and sourdough starters. These guys know their equipment. I knew I had a goody bag to take back but future online purchases of Bakery Bits galore will be featuring in my cookery lessons, that’s for sure.
I could have spent the entire day watching demos – so much better than TV cookery shows. And I get to use it as an excuse – I need to watch other cooks to improve my own cookery demonstrating skills. Richard Bertinet I really wanted to see but didn’t manage to. Next year, I’m going to make time for back to back demos, planned to perfection with notebook at the ready.
The timing of the show couldn’t be better. With GBBO fully underway and budding cake bakers of all ages totally absorbed in one of the nations best loved shows, I can see The Cake & Bake Show being here to stay.
I was given a press pass to attend The Cake & Bake Show, however all opinions of the event expressed here are my own.
Courgette Lemon & Lavender Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 200 g Unsalted butter softened
- 200 g Golden caster sugar
- 1/2 tsp Dried Lavender finely ground
- 2 Medium eggs beaten
- 1 Courgette grated
- 1 Apple grated
- 1 Lemon plus extra lemon zest for the icing topping plus extra lemon zest only. Also need zest for the icing topping
- 200 g Self raising flour
- 200 g Icing sugar for the lemon glace icing
Instructions
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Cream the butter, Lavender and sugar together with an electric whisk/by hand/food processor,
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Add in the eggs, one at a time and whisk well to combine,
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Add in the grated courgette, apple and lemon zest and fold into the cake mix,
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Fold through the flour,
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Place the mixture in large fairy cake/muffin cases in a 12 hole muffin tin,
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Put the cakes in the pre-heated oven 180 degrees for 25 minutes,
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While the cakes are cooking make the icing by adding around 4or5tbsp of lemon juice to the icing sugar until it forms a thick but spreadable paste,
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When the cup cakes are totally cold top them with the lemon icing and grate lemon zest over the iced cup cakes for a zingy touch.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Nigel Slater
Your cupcakes look gorgeous. I love using courgette (or zucchini as we call them in Australia) in baked goods as it makes everything so moist.
That’s exactly what I found too, the cakes are just as fresh tasting 2 days later and I do think adding veggies to sweet things will become more and more popular. Thanks for visiting my site too!
I’m definitely not a piping bag sort of baker either! But do like to make courgette cupcakes and decorate with edible flowers like lavender, nasturtkiums, calendula, violets with kids. Love the addition of lavender and apple in these though, next time I make them will give these a go.
I hardly ever make cupcakes – I always think people are a little too obsessed with what is essentially a simple sponge plus too much icing – however if I was going to make them, these would be on the list as they look real, delicious and full of good-for-you flavour. What a lovely combination.
We took the kids to the cake and bake show in Manchester earlier this year – they loved the demos and the bake off, and came home all enthusiastic about baking. Your cupcakes look great, and if I can sneak some courgette in there too… perfect!
I would not recommend telling the kids they have courgettes in. Only 1 of 3 of my kids would eat them!
I really like the fact that you have used unusual flavours in your cupcakes – nice to see how original cupcakes can be Laura. Does the courgette provide moisture to the cake?
Thanks Jac, I think I may be making more from now on but featuring unusual flavour combinations only!
What a lovely combination of courgette and apple, one I really should try! And your cupcakes look so pretty. I’m definitely a traybake gal too, I really don’t have the patience for fancy icing, though have the upmost admiration for those that do! The Cake & Bake Show looks and sounds fab, might have to pay a visit one year.
Lucky you going to a baking show – how delicious! As an ex-pat American I tend to put vegetables in my baking. It’s something we grow up with, especially if you have a farming connection (nearly all of us do!). Your colourful and moist courgette and lavender sounds fantastic! In the summer I do a courgette, lemon and elderflower bake for work, but I want to try this equally floral take too. PS I don’t even own a piping bag!
Oh love the sound of courgette lemon & elderflower too Kellie. And have some elderflower in the freezer to try this flavour combination out!
These sound lovely. I keep hearing about courgette in cake and can see how it keeps moisture in the batter. Interesting pairing with lavender – something I will have to try x
What lovely flavours Laura and they look so pretty too. Cupcakes don’t need piping. I’m a firm believer in the swirl it on with a knife or spoon type of topping. CT doesn’t like the piped ones as he can’t figure out how to get it into his mouth 😉
I guess I should have made the effort to go to the Cake & Bake show as it sounds fabulous. It just seemed such a long way to go, but I rather wish I had now as I didn’t know there were going to be fabulous people there like Bakery Bits and Richard Bertinet.
SOOOOO love courgette in cakes! Makes everything so wonderfully moist- I hate dry cakes! This is gorgeous – you should definitely do more cupcake recipes Laura, can’t believe you’ve never done it before because you thought no one would be interested!
Thanks Shu Han, I do think I will make more now and may stick with the veg theme. Sweet veg cakes definitely keep lovely and moist, love them!
looks delicious…just mouthwatering!
Great reading about your trip Laura, it sounds like a great show. Your cakes sound (and look) delicious – I must give them a go!
Your cakes look great and it is a lovely combination of flavours. I recently made cakes containing various vegetables for school and some of the children were a bit reluctant. Best they don’t know!
Hi Anna, agree with you there. Courgettes don’t get the vote here in cakes. Next time I’m not telling the kids!
What an unusual combo, love it, especially the lavender!