![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpGmOCHJozbyq5-GgMaswlio2rBSjF6HsXsiM9NX2L8ZN-BWItwZZl-ryFygjlz2z750Zsgjej-BQvNCA5JPmt8ctQK5p6x5NyuUAsUaMNkVOnR1tQW-7AxwIVrK2vcz9eDJ-/s400/bird+cage.JPG)
I'll be teaching a Spring/Easter demo class at
Shermay's Cooking School on
1 March 2008 (Saturday),
2 March 2008 (Sunday),
15 March 2008 (Saturday) and
16 March 2008 (Sunday) - the
March schedule has all the necessary booking details. For all inquiries, please call the school at
+65 6479 8442 or email
shermaycs@yahoo.com.sgI didn't want to limit a theme so rich with possibilities to just cupcakes, or just cookies. So the solution was obvious - the class covers
both areas, and a few other treats besides. This post features the cupcakes and some of the cupcake decorating ideas; I will put up a separate post soon featuring the decorated cookies.
The cupcake and cupcake topping recipes are:
Super Moist Carrot & Orange Cupcakes with WalnutsIf anything is worth perfecting, it is a classic like carrot cake. My idea of a well-made carrot cake, a carrot cake worth eating, is ultra moist, gently spiced, lifted with a touch of citrus zest and generously loaded with shredded carrots and chopped nuts - all in all, a lavish mouthful of comfort. The recipe I will be sharing is the same tried-and-tested gold standard I often turn to when I need to produce a sweet treat that will make a memorable impression at tea.
White Chocolate & Cream Cheese Frosting
A lavish carrot cake deserves a lavish frosting. Good white chocolate (I use Valrhona Ivoire) puts a luxurious spin on cream cheese frosting, lending mouthfeel and richness.
Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cherry ToppingA buttery crumb base is topped with a luscious cream cheese filling extravagantly flavoured with vanilla bean and finished with a tart cherry topping.
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I had a lot of fun coming up with ideas for decorating the cupcakes, from the fuss-free (like these candied carrot curls),
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to the fabulously frou frou. Given the seasonal theme, coming up with the latter was virtually like playing a word association game. If there're carrots involved, the Easter bunny simply must put in an appearance.
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Delicate little eggs, tinted a variety of pretty pastel washes, demand a basket,
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_CZosbgV348zsoJQ5LeFZW97SVjndpGpi91WcEoppSIxKhhnI_lr42WiAFJfiD4QjGDAmhMT4hj_HHyA2v370gneTTzOMVQmeeoIP8oxaYNlE54vuCGe6Lym0X4IcMNwqED7/s400/gilded+eggs+in+choc+nest.JPG)
a nest,
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or a bed of grass.
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And if there're eggs, a chick
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8L5V4v55FkGWl5hXE8KYQquV5CHzK8lgVGB1tSEO_L4JKQBYzropIWc_dp7QrxqjMOdNVIgr9C4_P86S26SrB_-MspaJpTV-GVEIgZMHtR_v2jFTTNtJj7ruJqAk3MgLgYJBY/s400/sleeping+sugar+chick.JPG)
or two can't be far behind.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJxe09wyoGuj-4BjUlMc2jES3XqSAtCLzAj4BhlP1hQ1wWaGU0GnLpDgt9QhVZcz7yfsh-XyZEYrOlB27CoHrfMw8gcxagOOW10CnLKTioqpcCsR9ag0umRJsQxifOJQOFbT7/s400/cherry+cheesecake+2.JPG)
And that's just the cherry on the cake, so to speak. I'll put up details on the decorated cookie component of the class soon; an easy-to-handle rolled dough (Rich Chocolate Cookies), plus familiarity with the ins and outs of working with Royal Icing (using a recipe based on egg white powder that's an alternative to meringue powder royal icing and classic royal icing) and core decorating techniques (from the basic like Outlining, Flooding, Drop-in Flooding, Overpiping, Flocking and Gilding to the slightly more challenging like Piped Icing Flowers), allow you to craft one-of-a-kind cookies and cookie pop bouquets. Sugar moulding techniques (for creating sugar cases and shaped sugar cubes) will also be covered.
On top of the above, the recipe pack includes a handful of bonus recipes - Simnel Cupcakes with Marzipan Centres; Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Cupcakes; Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Ganache. I won't be demonstrating these extra recipes during class so will be elaborating on them shortly as well.