Birthday Treats with Samantha Bann

My daughter’s eighth birthday was on Sunday. I remember the day she was born – I actually denied the fact that I was in labor. My mother-in-law forced me to go to the hospital. I am as stubborn as an ox, but five hours later I delivered a little girl. Good thing I had family around…

Every year I try to do a special cake for her, but this year I am doing something very special…cupcakes. This year’s theme is a forest, so I thought it would be perfect to make frog cakes! You can pick whatever sort of animal or theme you like, but I chose frogs for this particular treat.

This is very time-consuming, but as we all know nothing is ever too good for our babies. They are also just that extra touch to show off an amazing day.

I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line with paper baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, blending well. Stir in the vanilla and flour just until mixed. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter.
4. Frost and decorate to your heart's content! 

Until next time…Samantha Bann