Chocolate Cupcakes for Grandad's 70th

Last week was my first back to work *crys* it was also the week of major birthdays (manic doesn't quite cover it). Aunty P was 90 and my Grandad was 70 ~ It baffles my mind to think that Aunty P was 20 when my Grandad was born!! 

This is how my week went......

Monday ~ Working ~ Sister-in-law in my house looking after the kids
Tuesday ~ Me at home for fun and games
Wednesday ~ Working ~ Mother-in-law in my house looking after the kids (Deep breaths Kathrine, deep breaths)
Thursday ~ Working ~ Kids to Nursery, for the first time, then visiting Aunty P (didn't get then until 6:30pm)
Friday ~ Me at home (holiday to cover childcare) for fun and games
Saturday ~ Baking these scrummy cakes for Grandad while Brads was at work, not easy with 2 little boys I can tell ya!! :-)
Sunday ~ Drove to Herefordshire/Wales in the morning with kids and cakes, had fun with the family, drove home, picked up sister-in-law from her town to bring her to our house for Monday again.

We set off for Grandad's at 8am and after 1 wee break, two poo breaks, one wrong turn and 4 Sunday drivers we finally arrived 3 1/2 hours later......yes, on the way back we drove past the crash site on the M5, and no, I do not want to drive on the motorway ever again!! The boys were perfect there and back (which is a miracle!!) 

On a happier note, these cakes were loved by all who scoffed them :-) I hope your loved ones enjoy them   as much as mine did!

Sponge Recipe ~ makes 12 cupcakes

100g s/r flour

50g cocoa powder

150g butter

150g caster sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp coffee powder

1 tbsp golden syrup

1. Preheat over to 180/Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tin with 6 cases
2. Put dry ingredients into a bowl 
3. Cream the butter and sugar
4. Add eggs one at a time making sure one is fully incorporated before adding the next
5. Mix in the vanilla extract and golden syrup. 
6. Add dry ingredients and fold in until just combined
7. Divide mix evenly between 12 cupcake cases
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes
9. When baked, place on cooling rack to cool

Frosting

80g butter

320g icing sugar

3 tbsp boiling water

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tbsp chocolate spread

1. Mix cocoa powder with boiling water and stir until completely dissolved, set aside to cool
2. Cream the butter
3. Add the icing sugar 100g at a time mixing each one in fully
4. Add the cooled chocolate mixture
5. Finally mix in the chocolate spread and mix on high for 1-2 minutes

Frost as desired and ENJOY!!!

xx Kat xx

This post is dedicated to the victims of the M5 Crash on 4th November 2011