Page 84 - Demo

84 Lambton Worm CakesPreparation time:50 minutes (including cooling)Cooking time:20 minutesServes: 12IngredientsFor the cakes:190g self-raising flourPinch of salt115g unsalted butter200g granulated sugar2 large eggs2 tsp vanilla extract120ml whole milk12 cupcake linersFor the frosting:225g unsalted butter500g icing sugar45ml double cream1 tsp vanilla extract Green food colouringFor the worm:1 pack of ready to roll blue, yellow, black and red icingThe legend goes that the Lambton Worm slithered across Wearside terrorising the locals and livestock before wrapping itself around worm hill in Fatfield. It%u2019s immortalised in song. Now it%u2019s time to celebrate this mythical creature in the form of a cake.InstructionsFor the cakes:1. Pre heat the oven to 180%u00b0C/160%u00b0C fan oven and line a 12 hole bun tray with cupcake liners.2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined (do not overmix).5. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full with batter. Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing. Roll out the green icing, cut into circles and place on top of the cakes.For the frosting:6. In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until creamy. Gradually add the icing sugar, about 125g at a time, mixing on low speed.7. Add the vanilla extract and 30ml (2 tbsp) of cream. Beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add the extra cream. Add green food colouring a little at a time until you reach your desired shade of green.8. Transfer the icing into a piping bag fitted with a round piping tip (or cut the corner off a sandwich bag). Pipe the icing onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl pattern to make a hill. If it looks messy don%u2019t worry - just make a knife to smooth it to make it look like a hill.For the worm:9. Time to get creative. Take the blue icing and roll into a worm long enough to wrap round the hill. Mould a head and put make eyes and a tongue with coloured icing, and add anything else you fancy!