Coffee anyone?

Coffee cupcakes with white chocolate fudge frosting

   There are times in life when you are humbled by people who often are the most simple in being, but whose actions make them anything but ordinary. One such person I met was Mamta Shukla, my friend Shubham's mom. I met her on Shubham's birthday, bringing it in with a homemade cake as usual. That's when she knew I loved baking and after our miles by the minute conversation, Shubham and me said bye whilst her folks wondered in amusement how we could talk so much, so fast, simultaneously and still understand each other. 
   Met her mom again for dinner that day and her twinkling kind eyes made me like her instantly. She left to travel around and that was it. We didn't talk thereafter. Now you can imagine to my surprise when Shubham says, 'My mom has got you something from her trip.' The thought of her getting something for me, who she just met for a few hours was enough to make me smile for the next few hours in joy. Who doesn't love gifts? And unexpected ones, even better :) 
   She had remembered that I loved baking and knew my fondness for cupcakes and had gotten me Joanna Farrow's book - Cupcakes. I squealed like a child at this book, my first one on cupcakes :) Even though what she did might seem simple and inconsequential to a third person, her thoughtfulness has inked herself into my memory. Thanks aunty, not just for this, but for being there for me via your daughter in trying times as well. Shubham, you have one helluva lovely mom :) This ones for you aunty :) 

Coffee cupcakes with white chocolate fudge frosting
Recipe courtesy: Cupcakes by Joanna Farrow


For the cupcakes you will need: (makes 12)

• 150 grams unsalted butter
• 150 grams castor sugar
• 175 grams self-raising flour (You can substitute this with plain flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt)
• 3 eggs
• 1teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon strong coffee powder

You can decorate them with sprinkles like so

Method:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180 C 
2. Dump all the ingredients in a bowl and beat for 2 minutes or so until the mixture is light and creamy.
3. Pour them into your lined cupcake moulds and bake for about 20 minutes or till they have risen and are firm to touch or till a skewer inserted comes out dry.

For the white chocolate fudge frosting you will need:

• 200 grams white chocolate chopped up finely
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 175 grams icing sugar

Method:

1. Place the chocolate and milk in a heat proof bowl, set it over a saucepan of gently simmering water and leave until melted. Stir frequently to avoid lumps and burning the chocolate. 
2. Once melted, remove the bowl from the saucepan and stir in the icing sugar gently until you get a smooth mixture.
3. While still warm, spread or pipe the frosting over your cooled cupcakes. 

A yum treat to finish off a meal