Latest news with #cupcakes
The Independent
10-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Queen joins cupcake quest on visit to Somerset farm
The Queen tasted homemade lemon curd as she helped children make cupcakes during a visit to a farm. Camilla visited Lower Shockerwick Farm, near Bath, Somerset, which is run as an educational centre by Jamie's Farm. The farm is the seventh site operated by the charity which offers young people who are experiencing challenges at school different opportunities. Since Jamie's Farm was established in 2009, it has welcomed more than 16,000 young people to their six existing sites in Bath, Hereford, Monmouth, Lewes, Skipton and a city farm in London Waterloo. During the visit, Camilla, who is Patron, met founders Tish Feilden and her son Jamie, and was taken on a tour of the farm by Mr Fielden and his fellow co-chief executive Jake Curtis. She met staff, volunteers and young people undertaking activities in the orchards, kitchens and gardens. In the kitchen, the Queen met 11-year-olds Mantaj and Mia, who were making lemon curd cupcakes using the zesty preserve that had been produced the day before. Camilla also helped water calibrachoa, geraniums and verbena which had been planted by Gabriel, aged 10, and 11-year-old Adrian. To commemorate the occasion, the Queen unveiled a stone plaque and told guests she planned to visit the farm in Skipton as it was the only site she had not been to. 'I am yet to get to Yorkshire, but that will be next on my agenda, I promise you I will get there,' she said. 'It's really thanks to everybody here that this has happened at this really wonderful ancient farm and I look forward to seeing it in a year's time with all the children.' Before the Queen departed, she handed over a basket of cuttings and seeds, including foxgloves, hollyhocks, mint, rosemary and blackcurrant, taken from her garden at her private home near Lacock in Wiltshire. 'I hope I can come back and see them thriving,' she added. Thanking the Queen for her visit, Mr Feilden said: 'We are honoured that you are here to officially open Lower Shockerwick Farm. 'We really appreciate your support, interest and advocacy for the work that we do.' Jamie's Farm works with young people, typically aged between 11 and 16, who are at risk of social or academic exclusion due to challenges with behaviour, attendance, or mental health. While there they step away from the pressures of daily life – including handing in their phones and disconnecting from technology.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
The Primrose Bakery is famed for its cupcakes – and with this new cookbook you can be too!
FAMILY-RUN Primrose Bakery is known for its spectacularly tasty and beautifully presented cupcakes, and owner Martha Swift now has five cookbooks to her name. This latest collection of recipes cards - The Mix & Match Baking Box From The Primrose Bakery (Laurence King Publishing) is out this week, and any baker out there will find this super-useful. Portable and easy to use, this box of recipe cards covers toppings, icing and sponges than you can mix and match as you desire - in cupcakes or tiered cakes. Think melt-in-the-mouth sponges such as red velvet, pistachio and vegan chocolate, through to marshmallow icing and peanut buttercream, plus mini cookies and caramel sauce for toppings. 4 It is perfect for the kids to get involved in some baking this summer and will see you through Great British Bake Off viewing in style come autumn. We've picked three of our fave combinations below for you to try - but which will you like best? 4 Lemon Meringue Cupcakes Makes: 16 Prep time: 25 mins Cooking time: 25 mins Ingredients: *230g self-raising flour *11/2tsp baking powder *230g caster sugar *Zest and juice 2 lemons *230g unsalted butter, at room temperature *4 large eggs *Lemon curd, to fill For the icing: *120g granulated sugar *80g golden syrup *2 large eggs, whites only *1/2tsp good-quality vanilla extract Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Line your cupcake tins with 16 cases. Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the butter, eggs and lemon juice, and beat well with an electric hand mixer until smooth and combined. Divide between the cases. 2. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until risen and golden, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let them sit for 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack. 3. Meanwhile, make the icing. Put the sugar and golden syrup in a microwaveable bowl and add 1/2tsp cold water, then stir. Microwave for 41/2 minutes, until completely melted and bubbling. 4. Place the egg whites in a large, clean bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Pour the hot sugar mixture slowly and steadily down one side of the bowl into the egg whites, while beating on a slow speed. Once all the sugar has been added, turn the mixer up to high and continue beating until the mixture is thick and glossy, and it stands up in stiff peaks. Add the vanilla extract and briefly beat again. 5. Once your cupcakes are cooled, core out a small amount of sponge from the centre of each one and add 1tsp lemon curd. Once iced, you can finish each cupcake with a chef's blow-torch (if you have one) until light golden brown. Eton Mess Cupcakes Ingredients: *225g unsalted butter, at room temperature *225g caster sugar *210g self-raising flour *1tsp baking powder *25g cornflour *1tsp vanilla extract *4 large eggs *3tbsp milk, at room temperature For the compote: *100g granulated sugar *Juice 1 lemon *300g frozen raspberries For the icing: *120g granulated sugar *80g golden syrup *2 egg whites *1/2tsp vanilla extract To decorate: *Mini meringues *Fresh raspberries Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with cases. To make the compote, place the sugar and lemon juice in a pan and add the raspberries over a medium heat until the fruit breaks down into a thick syrup. Set aside to cool. 2. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl, then add the other dry ingredients and the remaining wet ingredients. Using an electric hand mixer, beat until combined, then scrape the sides of the bowl and beat again until the batter is smooth and combined. 3. Drain the compote and reserve the more liquid part, then add the thicker part into the batter and lightly fold. Divide the batter between the cases, then bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until risen and golden, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let the cakes sit for 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack. 4. Meanwhile, make the icing. Put the sugar and golden syrup in a microwaveable bowl and add 1/2tsp cold water, then stir. Microwave for 41/2 minutes, until completely melted and bubbling. 5. Place the egg whites in a large, clean bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Pour the hot sugar mixture slowly and steadily down one side of the bowl into the egg whites, all the while beating on a slow speed. Once all the sugar has been added, turn the mixer speed up to high and continue beating until thick and glossy, and it stands up in stiff peaks. Add the vanilla extract and briefly beat again. 6. Ice each cupcake, then decorate with mini or crushed meringues and a couple of fresh raspberries, then finish by drizzling some of the reserved fruit compote over each cupcake. Mocha Cupcakes Makes: 18 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Ingredients: *175g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) *130g unsalted butter, at room temperature *265g light soft brown sugar *3 large eggs, separated *375ml milk, at room temperature *1½tsp good-quality vanilla extract *280g plain flour *1tsp baking powder *1tsp bicarbonate of soda *½tsp salt For the buttercream: *4tsp instant espresso powder *1tbsp boiling water *300g unsalted butter, at room temperature *2tbsp milk, at room temperature *700g icing sugar Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. Line two 12-hole cupcake tins with cases. 2. Break the chocolate into pieces and melt carefully in a microwave in 30-second intervals, then set aside. In one bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. Whisk the egg yolks until pale, then add these to the butter mixture. Beat on a medium speed until fully incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and mix until combined. 3. Combine the milk and vanilla in a jug. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Add one third of the dry mix to the chocolate mixture and beat well, then add one third of the milk and beat again. Repeat until everything has been combined. 4. Whisk up the egg whites to soft peaks. Gently fold them into the chocolate mixture. The batter will be fairly liquid in consistency. Divide the batter equally between the cases. Bake in the centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes. 5. Let the cakes sit in their tins for 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to cool completely. 6. Meanwhile, make the coffee buttercream icing. Dissolve the espresso powder in the boiling water in a small jug or bowl, then allow it to the butter, milk and half the icing sugar in a large bowl and add the cooled espresso. Beat well with an electric hand mixer until smooth. This can take a few minutes. Gradually add the remaining icing sugar and keep beating until the icing reaches a very smooth and creamy consistency. 7. Ice each cupcake, then decorate with 2 or 3 chocolate-covered coffee beans! What is the average cost of a wedding cake? ALONGSIDE the dress, the venue, the flowers and the bride and groom themselves, choosing a wedding cake is one of the most important parts of organising a perfect day. But ensuring you've got the perfect cake can be an expensive business. Becky Hartt from Hartt Cakes spoke to about her business, and revealed her average cake costs between £450 and £750. This cost depends on the size of the cake, the ingredients and the decoration. Professional wedding cake maker Kate, from Little Button Bakery, said she works out the price of a cake by using the equation: "Basic costs + cost of business overheads + cost of time + profit = price." "It is usually around 20-30 hours work in one wedding cake when you consider: admin time, researching designs, cake tasting and consultation, preparing and tweaking the final design, sourcing materials, liaising with other suppliers and the venue, baking, creating and finishing the cake, delivering and setting up the cake and checking in afterwards," she added. While an average cake is anything up to £750, some people spend thousands on the perfect one for them. As others can spend a lot less on their cake by going to an alternative such as a cheese cake, a cupcake tower or a doughnut wall.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Queen joins cupcake quest on visit to Somerset farm
The Queen tasted homemade lemon curd as she helped children make cupcakes during a visit to a farm. Camilla visited Lower Shockerwick Farm, near Bath, Somerset, which is run as an educational centre by Jamie's Farm. The farm is the seventh site operated by the charity which offers young people who are experiencing challenges at school different opportunities. Since Jamie's Farm was established in 2009, it has welcomed more than 16,000 young people to their six existing sites in Bath, Hereford, Monmouth, Lewes, Skipton and a city farm in London Waterloo. During the visit, Camilla, who is Patron, met founders Tish Feilden and her son Jamie, and was taken on a tour of the farm by Mr Fielden and his fellow co-chief executive Jake Curtis. She met staff, volunteers and young people undertaking activities in the orchards, kitchens and gardens. 🏡 Lower Shockerwick Farm is nearly complete…ready to welcome more young people into a space built with a shared vision and lots of heart. Huge thanks to our project partners, kind donors & amazing volunteers. You've turned a building into a home. 💚 — Jamie's Farm (@JamiesFarm) July 9, 2025 In the kitchen, the Queen met 11-year-olds Mantaj and Mia, who were making lemon curd cupcakes using the zesty preserve that had been produced the day before. Camilla also helped water calibrachoa, geraniums and verbena which had been planted by Gabriel, aged 10, and 11-year-old Adrian. To commemorate the occasion, the Queen unveiled a stone plaque and told guests she planned to visit the farm in Skipton as it was the only site she had not been to. 'I am yet to get to Yorkshire, but that will be next on my agenda, I promise you I will get there,' she said. 'It's really thanks to everybody here that this has happened at this really wonderful ancient farm and I look forward to seeing it in a year's time with all the children.' Before the Queen departed, she handed over a basket of cuttings and seeds, including foxgloves, hollyhocks, mint, rosemary and blackcurrant, taken from her garden at her private home near Lacock in Wiltshire. 'I hope I can come back and see them thriving,' she added. Thanking the Queen for her visit, Mr Feilden said: 'We are honoured that you are here to officially open Lower Shockerwick Farm. 🎧 New Podcast: Shift Happens What really helps young people turn their lives around? In Ep1, Riley shares his journey from growing up in care to becoming an apprentice at Jamie's Farm, a story of transformation, resilience & hope. 💬✨ 🎙️ Listen now: — Jamie's Farm (@JamiesFarm) July 7, 2025 'We really appreciate your support, interest and advocacy for the work that we do.' Jamie's Farm works with young people, typically aged between 11 and 16, who are at risk of social or academic exclusion due to challenges with behaviour, attendance, or mental health. While there they step away from the pressures of daily life – including handing in their phones and disconnecting from technology.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jennifer Lopez teases her fans with cheeky Fourth Of July message
raised smiles among her fans as she celebrated the Fourth Of July. The singer, 55, shared a cheeky video to her Instagram, in which she teased her followers while showing off some patriotic treats. 'Happy 4th of July… Want a cupcake? This is what happens when you hang out with the gays,' she added while trying to hold back her laughter. The video then cut to a clip of Jennifer Coolidge in season two of The White Lotus saying 'the gays.' She proceeded to share the cupcake selfies in an Instagram post and captioned it, 'Happy Fourth Of July everybody. ✨ Here are the cupcake selfies LOL.' Her fans overwhelmingly shared love for their idol's posts. Many said that the last photo in J-Lo's carousel - the one with two cupcakes over her breasts - was their favorite. 'I'll take a cupcake??! Happy Fourth Jennifer!! ❤️P.S. Hang out with the fabulous gays more often please, and thank you.' 'So cute! I just love you Jen, thank you for being so wonderful just the way you are, thank you for having a huge heart and for always (even when you're busy) always thinking about your JLovers, never change the way you are! 'Thank you to the universe for my heart choosing to be a fan of someone like you.'
Grazia USA
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Decade Long 'Fourth of July' Tradition
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Wheelchair Basketball final between USA and Israel during day one of the 2025 Invictus Games at on February 09, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage) Meghan Markle took to Instagram this weekend for an extra special Fourth of July post. The Duchess shared a throwback selfie and revealed an almost decade long tradition that her and Prince Harry have indulged in on the day every year. The selfie of the couple showed them looking perfectly smitten on their second date back in 2016. Alongside this were two more images, both featuring red, white and blue Fourth of July themed cupcakes. Markle provided some insight in the caption. 'Our second date was the 4th of July 2016, and H brought me cupcakes to celebrate. Now, all these years later, our two children are in on the tradition.' Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their second date / Image: This isn't the first time these sentimental cupcakes have had their time in the limelight. In the Prince's 2023 memoir Spare , he recounted his second date with Markle, describing how he gifted her cupcakes on the day. This date occurred only one day after their first, both at London's Soho House. 'A pink box. I held it forward. She shook it. What's this?' He described the moment. 'She opened the box. Cupcakes. Red, white and blue cupcakes, to be exact. In honor of Independence Day.' Fourth of July cupcake from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's second date / Image: Though the Prince is not an American citizen, he and Markle, along with their children, have lived in the United States since 2020. While he describes his life in California as 'amazing' he has said that he still does not 'feel American'. The couple's move came following the relinquishment of their royal roles and duties, and concerns regarding minimal security upon their departure. On the life they live now, the Prince has nothing but good things to say. 'It's a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live, and it feels as though it's the life that my mom wanted for me.' Fourth of July cupcakes shared by Meghan Markle in 2025 / Image: topics: Meghan Markle, prince harry, Duchess of Sussex, Duke of Sussex, royals, royal family, fourth of july, celebrity, celebrity news, Royal News, Trending
