Whimsical cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing (gluten-free)

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favourite things

-  My Favourite Things, sung by Maria, The Sound of Music, 1965

---

One of my all-time favourite movies, ever, is The Sound of Music. Its beautiful songs, scenery and storyline have been on my mind ever since Lady Gaga's (surprisingly good) tribute during the recent Academy Awards ceremony. My mother and I went to the cinema together to see the film often, for she loved it as much as I did. And though I've seen it countless times since the 60s, I can happily sit (and sing) through the entire movie to this day. 

Among the musical numbers and acts, I adore watching over and over are when the particularly handsome Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) sings Edelweiss. And also the moment when Maria (Julie Andrews) realises she has fallen in love with the Captain. Swoon ❤❤❤.

For me, perhaps the most delightful scene is when Maria (in her night dress) snuggles with all seven of the von Trapp children on her bed during a thunderstorm. This is the act in which she sings 'My Favourite Things'. Maria begins by listing 'nice things' for the children to think of to take their minds off the storm. 'Daffodils, green meadows, skies full of stars, raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens'. At which point, she breaks into song:

Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favourite things

Cream coloured ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favourite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favourite things

When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favourite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

Bliss! Things such as these make me feel happy too! I think I'd like to add fluffy white clouds, fluttering butterflies, a scattering of rose petals and whimsical cupcakes to Maria's list, to make it my very own.

---

WHIMSICAL CUPCAKES 
4 free range eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup/110g vanilla infused caster sugar
110g self raising gluten-free flour*, sifted
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons warmed milk

For the icing:
70g unsalted butter, softened
2 cups pure icing sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons low fat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

For the garnish:
1 tablespoon pistachio nuts, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon rose petals or edible flowers

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Place 12 patty cake liners into a 12-hole muffin tin or onto a baking tray.

Separate the egg whites from the yolks. In a stand mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then gradually beat in the caster sugar until the sugar has dissolved; and then the egg yolks, one at a time, beating briefly after each addition. Gently fold the flour through the egg and sugar mixture (taking care not to beat out all the air), then fold in the melted butter and warm milk.

Using a large metal spoon, divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners. Bake for 20-25 minutes  until the cupcakes have risen, are golden brown and spring back when gently touched.  Remove the cupcakes from the muffin tin and place onto a cooling rack. When the cakes are cool, spread or pipe the icing over the top and finish with the whimsical garnishes, such as rose petals, edible flowers and roughly chopped pistachios. Store in an airtight container. Makes 12.

To make the icing, combine the ingredients in a small bowl, beat until smooth and then chill in a blast chiller or pop into the freezer to allow the mixture to set slightly. 

* You can also use ordinary self raising flour.

---

Here is one that my Peter decorated... 

I thought the cupcakes looked prettier without the liners... 

My first attempt at rose piping... 

---

Tell me dear readers and fellow cooks, do you ever indulge in whimsical moments? And what's your favourite scene from The Sound of Music, if you have one? Do please let me know.