Space Explorer Cupcakes

Name: Space Explorer Cupcakes
Yield: Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients: gel or paste food colouring, dark blue; 10-15 ml/2-3 tsp milk; 7.5 ml/1½ tsp vanilla extract; 115 g/4 oz/1 cup self-raising (self-rising) flour, sifted; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 115 g/4 oz/generous ½ cup caster (superfine) sugar; 115 g/4 oz/½ cup butter; 300 g/11 oz/2½ cups icing (confectioners’) sugar, sifted; 150 g/5 oz/10 tbsp butter, softened; 15-30 ml/1-2 tbsp milk; 75 g/3 oz milk chocolate chips; edible silver or gold stars; 10 g/¼ oz popping candy; edible glitter; 12 lollipops or sherbet flying saucers

Preparation info

Makes
12
cupcakes

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Cupcakes for Kids

By Rosie Anness and Cortina Butler

Published 2014

About

Stars and planets glitter and popping candy crackles with these cosmic cakes. Popping candy is carbonated sugar crystals. Sprinkle it on at the last moment because it starts to pop when it touches anything moist.

Ingredients

For the Cakes

115 g/4 oz/½ cup butter
115

Cake
Vegetarian
Birthday

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Line a muffin tin (pan) with cupcake cases.
Cream the butter for a few minutes until soft and pale. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
Gradually add the eggs, beatin