Our Holiday Baking Traditions and Baking Cupcakes

I love baking! The love for baking and cooking is embedded in me probably because of helping out as a young child in the kitchen when my grandma, aunts, cousins and mom get busy making a variety of dishes. We used to get together and make lots of goodies to give family, friends and neighbours during special occasions and festivals. I love continuing this tradition with my family and get everyone in the mood to bake and share.

Even before our children were born, my husband and I make dozens of cookies to share with our friends and co-workers; and each year the requests and reminders increase. Since my children were small they have been helping me bake and get excited to see what needs to be done. My baking assistants were delighted to put their aprons and baking hats to get down to business and start making these cupcakes.

Easy mix cupcake batter

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup canola or corn oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and leave it aside.

In a bowl using a mixer on medium speed beat the egg, egg yolk, sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream colour. Then add the oil, vanilla and blend. Mix in the sour cream and then add the flour mixture until the batter is smooth.

Fill a lined and prepared 12 medium cupcake tray and bake at 350F for about 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden skewer comes out clean.

When the muffins are completely cool, decorate with the following buttercream icing.

This basic cupcake batter is from the Cupcake kit by Elinar Kilvans, which we can purchase from Amazon, Chapters or Chronicles. The kit includes recipes, colourful liners and a few decorating tools. I like the colourful choices of liners in this kit that make the final presentation of decorated cupcakes look fabulous. I didn't use the decorating tool because I like using my metal cake decorating tools. 

Buttercream icing

1/4 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup icing sugar

Beat the butter until it is creamy and add icing sugar gradually and beat with a mixer until it is smooth. Add colouring and decorate the cupcakes before serving. 

Since this buttercream icing only has butter in it, it melts fast so you will have to place it in the fridge for a little bit. For the flowers, I used tip 104 and the leaf decorating tip.

Giveaway: 
Win 12 Gay Lea coupons to buy any of their fabulous products. This giveaway is open to everyone in Canada (except Quebec) until December 15. Please leave comments and follow my social media networks through the rafflecopter below to be eligible. You can enter similar giveaways on other sites, however you are only eligible to win one. Your prize will arrive in about 4-6 weeks after the closing date. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with MC Canada and receive special perks. All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First