Having a treat but doing a lot of good

Today is National Cupcake Day to help raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, a perfect excuse to get baking some delicious cupcakes or to just show your support and purchase what others have created for the occasion.

Alzheimer’s (also commonly known as dementia) is now one of the country’s biggest killers and is growing, in the average time it takes to bake a batch of cakes, six people in the UK will develop dementia. It is now the leading cause of death in England and Wales, overtaking both cancer and heart disease. Unfortunately, no cure for dementia has been discovered as yet and research continues, while the large number of people who suffer from this disease means that the cost of care is very high.

£2.7million has been raised by Cupcake Day in England since 2016. A large part of the money raised has gone to opening special dementia cafes where people who suffer from the disease have a welcoming place to gather with their carers and support each other while enjoying a little light refreshment.

For your basic cupcake sponge recipe

You will need: 110g softened butter, 110g golden caster sugar, 2 large eggs, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 110g self-raising flour, paper cupcake cases

1. Put the flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle and crack the eggs into it. Pour in about 50ml milk and 1 tbsp oil. Start whisking from the centre, gradually drawing the flour into the eggs, milk and oil. Once all the flour is incorporated, beat until you have a smooth, thick paste. Add a little more milk if it is too stiff to beat.
2. Bake for 15 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.

Buttercream frosting

For a basic buttercream frosting: 150g softened butter, 300g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 tbsp milk, food colouring paste of your choice (optional).

To make the buttercream, whisk the butter until super soft then add the icing sugar, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk together until smooth (start off slowly to avoid an icing sugar cloud) then beat in the milk. If wanting to colour, stir in the food colouring now. Spoon or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes.

Fun and fabulous frosting ideas

Smarties Polkadot – Who doesn’t like Smarties? You can stud your icing with different colour Smarties, or just pick one for each cupcake to make your batch more varied

Coffee & Walnut – For a more mature and indulgent cake, why not mix coffee flavour into your frosting and add a luxurious walnut on top of each cake.

Double Chocolate Sponge – Melt a layer of chocolate on your cocoa-sponge cupcakes and wait until set for a great Tunis cake texture.

Sherbert Fizz – Why not mix coloured sherbert into your icing to create a tongue tingling buzz, or even top it with popping candy for that ultimate childhood throwback.

Mister Whippy – Vanilla sponge, big dollop of vanilla buttercream sculpted to imitate a classic seaside ice cream, add a mini chocolate flake to finish.

Strawberry Dream – Add pink colouring to your sponge, pink or white buttercream – finish with slice of strawberry.

For more information about Cupcake Day in support of Alzheimer’s visit the website .