Strawberry Fairy Cakes

What could be sweeter than fairy cakes decorated with tiny strawberries? These are ideal for when you are wondering what to do with small strawberries. Make the macadamia nut cupcakes then decorate. Grind your own nuts in a food processor to make nut meal. 

Macadamia Cup Cakes

Makes 12 large (muffin size) or 24 small (patty cake size) cupcakes. For small cupcakes use patty tins which are just under ¼ cup capacity and for large cupcakes use muffin tins that are just under ½ cup capacity.

125g ( 4 oz )  butter

¾ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 large eggs (or 3 small eggs)

1½ cups self- raising flour, sifted

½ cup ground macadamias

⅓ cup  milk                                                                                                                                          

 

1.      Preheat oven to 180° C ( 350° F ) . Place paper cases in cake pans.

2.      Beat together the butter and sugar, using electric beaters until pale and creamy.

3.      Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.

4.      Gently fold in the flour, nut meal and a pinch of salt alternatively with the milk.

5.      Spoon into paper cases until all mixture is evenly divided between the cases.

6.      Bake for 15 minutes for small cakes or 20 minutes for muffin size cakes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool cakes on wire racks.

To decorate:

300ml ( 1/2 pint ) thickened cream, lightly whipped

2 tablespoons strawberry jam, or jam of your choice

¼ cup finely chopped nuts

Icing sugar (sugar powder) for dusting

Cut cone shapes from the top of each cake, then cut them in half to make wings. Place ½ teaspoon jam in the hole of each cake. Top with a dollop of cream. Position wings and strawberries, then sprinkle with nuts and sift over the icing sugar.

Variation: Raspberries or blueberries could be used instead or strawberries

Cut a cone shape from the top



remove it

add the jam....

and the cream....

 

add the wings and strawberry....

and have a tea party!