Butterfly Cupcake Petits Fours Recipes

BUTTERFLY CUPCAKES (TRADITIONAL BRITISH BUTTERFLY CAKES)

Steps:

• In a stand mixer or using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. It will begin to pale in color, too.
• Add about one third of the beaten eggs, and mix well at medium speed.
• Then add about a third of the sifted flour. Repeat this step. Add the rest of the eggs and mix well, then turn the mixer to low and add the final flour. Just mix until well combined.
• Fill the cupcake liners half full with the batter and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when placed in the center of a cupcake.
• Remove cupcakes from the tin, place on cooling rack and allow to cool completely. When ready to decorate, cut out the center of each cupcake, angling the knife at a 45º angle.
• Then cut the loose piece in half to resemble butterfly wings. Place a small amount of jam in the center. Follow with a dollop of cream (or buttercream, if desired). You can also pipe the cream like I did. Next, place the "wings" on top.
• Repeat with all of the cupcakes, then dust each one generously with powdered sugar. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

BUTTERFLY CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake and cool as directed on box for cupcakes.
• Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. In small microwavable bowl, microwave pink candy melts uncovered on Medium (50%) 30 seconds, then in 15-second increments, until melted; stir until smooth. Spoon melted candy into large decorating bag fitted with #5 tip or other small round tip. Pipe 8 pairs of butterfly wings (3 inches across) onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar or nonpareils. Repeat with remaining candy melts, sugar and nonpareils. Let stand until set.
• Frost cupcakes with white frosting. With chocolate frosting, pipe row of dots in center of each cupcake to look like body. Attach wings next to body by gently pressing them into frosting and cupcake at 45° angle. Attach 2 licorice pieces for antennae.

PETITS FOURS WITH BUTTERFLIES

Steps:

• Trim 1/4-inch from each of the short ends of the pound cake. Cut cake into 1-inch slices. Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut 4 rounds from each slice of pound cake, using your finger to release each piece from the cutter.
• Place rounds on a wire rack set over a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Ladle icing over each; let stand at room temperature until dry.
• Gently lift cakes from wire rack using a spatula and transfer to a serving platter. Decorate with butterflies or other store bought decorations.