Pecan Nut and Cinnamon Cupcakes

These amazing cupcakes are an exemplary blend of light and fluffy cake complimented with aromatic cinnamon and crunchy pecan nuts, topped with smooth cream cheese frosting and drizzled with chocolate.

Ingredients:

Cupcake:

125 grams butter (softened to room temperature)
250 ml brown sugar
3 extra large eggs (room temperature)
250 ml plain yoghurt (room temperature)
5 ml bicarbonate of soda
375 ml cake flour
125 ml self raising flour 

Filling:

250 ml pecan nuts (chopped)
200 grams milk chocolate (grated)
¾ cup brown sugar
10 ml cinnamon 

Topping:

One 8-ounce tub of cream cheese
Quarter cup of unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
2.5 ml  vanilla essence
250 ml (1 cup) powdered sugar, sifted

Chocolate syrup to drizzle

Additional cinnamon to drizzle

Date and Nut Loaf

This scrumptious loaf is a delicate blend of sweet dates and crunchy pecan nuts, yielding a decadent and sophisticated treat. The perfect combination of its tender texture and rich, flavor-filled taste leaves the taste buds yearning for more. This tried and tested recipe never fails to impress!

Ingredients:

125 grams butter (softened to room temperature)
110 grams castor sugar
200 grams dates (pitted and chopped)
200 ml full cream milk (at room temperature)
15 ml golden syrup
260 grams self-raising flour (sifted)
2 jumbo eggs
60 grams pecan nuts (chopped)

Baking Tip #3 - How to measure flour

The amount of flour added when baking is absolutely crucial and can be the difference between a light, airy cake and a dry, crumby final product. Therefore measuring flour accurately is of utmost importance.
The best way to measure flour is by using a kitchen scale, this undoubtedly gives the most accurate measurement.

If you do not own a kitchen scale, you may use a measuring cup but follow the tips below. Flour, like brown sugar, packs tightly when stored. Therefore if you scoop the measuring cup directly into the flour, you can easily scoop out double the amount of required flour resulting in a dry and crumby cake.

Steps to follow when measuring flour using a measuring cup:
1. Before measuring the flour, fluff up the flour by mixing it with a whisk or knife to loosen it.
2. Using a spoon, spoon the flour into the measuring cup.
3. Using a knife, level the excess flour.

Therefore instead of scooping the measuring cup into the flour and leveling, rather spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level, this will make a phenomenal difference to the end product.

Cream Cheese Frosting

This delicious and easy to make cream cheese frosting is delicious atop carrot cakes, red velvet cakes or pumpkin breads.

Ingredients:

Two 8-ounce tubs of cream cheese
125 ml (half a cup) of unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
5 ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla essence
500 ml (2 cups) powdered sugar, sifted

Madeira Coconut Loaf

This fluffy sponge loaf has a light, yet firm texture and is ideal to be enjoyed at breakfast or casual afternoon tea. I added a twist to the traditional Madeira loaf by adding coconut and meringue -  bringing out an exotic and exciting flavor.

Ingredients:

Loaf:

125g butter (softened to room temperature)
100 ml (80g) castor sugar
3 extra large egg yolks
5 ml vanilla essence
250ml (140g) cake flour
10 ml baking powder
1 ml salt
100 ml full cream milk

Topping:

3 extra large egg whites
100 ml (80g) castor sugar
250 ml (80g) desiccated coconut