Cupcake 1: Queen Cakes

Although these are perhaps the simplest of cupcakes, they have been popular since the eighteenth century. In those days they were baked in individual fluted pans and not in paper cases as they are today.

Makes 18 cupcakes

8 tbsp butter, softened, or soft margarine

generous ½ cup superfine sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 tsp lemon juice

scant 1¼ cups self-rising white flour
¾ cup currants

2-4 tbsp milk, if necessary

* Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Put 18 paper baking cases in a muffin pan, or 18 double-layer paper cases on a baking sheet.

* Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, then beat in the lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of the flour. Using a metal spoon, fold in the remaining flour and the currants, adding a little milk if necessary to give a soft dropping consistency. Spoon the batter into the paper cases.

* Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

 

side one:
01. My Fairy King - Queen
02. Caddo Queen - Dobie Gray
03. Sailing - Deerhunter
04. Intermezzo—Op. 177, No. 2 - Johannes Brahms [piano: Elisabeth Leonskaja]
05. Queen of Hearts - Juice Newton
06. L'ilot Du Pacifique - Jacques Yvart
07. Doing All Right - Queen
08. Return of the Frog Queen - Jeremy Enigk 
[ listen ]

side two:
01. Dancing Queen - ABBA
02. Biag Ti Ulila - Bobby Gutierrez
03. Stairway to the Stars - Carmen Cavallaro
04. The Night Comes Down - Queen
05. Queen of Fools - Jenny Darren
06. Jump to It - Aretha Franklin
07. Son and Daughter - Queen
08. Bon Soir Dame - Tony Sandler & Ralph Young
09. Pear - Damien Jurado
10. Sunset - Luke Leilani and His Hawaiians    
[ listen ]