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Whimsical cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing (gluten-free)

11/3/2015

 
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 with vanilla buttercream icing (gluten-free)

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.

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Free range eggs and gluten free flour
Separate the eggs
Ready to go into the oven
Freshly baked cupcakes

Here is one that my Peter decorated... 

Cupcake in pretty polka dot liners

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

Whimsical cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing (gluten-free)

My first attempt at rose piping... 

Whimsical cupcakes with vanilla buttercream icing (gluten-free) II

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. 
Jennifer from Milk and Honey link
12/3/2015 11:35:41 am

Such pretty cupcakes Liz.

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef link
12/3/2015 12:32:34 pm

I'm going to be singing that song all day. :) I'll be thinking about these gorgeous cupcakes when I do so I won't mind so much.

kate link
12/3/2015 02:23:07 pm

These are such sweet little cakes, Liz! So lovely. I just adore The Sound of Music, one of my favourite scenes being when Captain von Trapp cuts in while Maria is trying to teach Kurt the Ländler.

Karen (Back Road Journal) link
13/3/2015 01:59:51 am

I know I'm going to be humming that song all day. It reminds me of our visits to Austria...we have been to so many of the sights from the movie, including the church where they were married. Your little cupcakes are sweet both with and without the liner.

Glenda link
13/3/2015 04:18:46 am

Coincidentally Liz, I heard the youngest (real life) Von Trapp son being interviewed on Radio National the other day.

Bonny~FurnishMyWay link
13/3/2015 09:23:02 am

My favorite scene from The Sound of Music? So tough to choose, but I think I like the puppet performance the best. I love that song, and it looks like such fun. These cupcakes look like so much fun, too!

John @ Kitchen Riffs link
13/3/2015 09:37:21 am

I didn't watch the Academy Awards, but of course heard about Lady GaGa's performance. So of course I looked it up on YouTube -- she was terrific! And such nice cupcakes. I don't have the decorating gene, so I never try piping anything. Really should learn at some point, I guess. Or encourage Mrs KR to learn. :-) Fun post -- thanks.

Amanda link
13/3/2015 12:02:10 pm

I accidentally watched Lady GaGa's performance on the Academy Awards and was blown away. Who knew she could sing like that?!
I love your sweet, little cakes Liz - gorgeous.

InTolerant Chef link
13/3/2015 12:51:36 pm

Very cute indeed Liz, Peter did a great job of decorating :)
We had to learn all the songs from Sound of Music for choir when I was in school, lots of fun and memories! X

Eha
13/3/2015 01:01:58 pm

[big smile] Here is another one who could not believe Lady Gaga could actually sing: bought the Tony Bennet/Lady Gaga DVD a few weeks back: guess what is playing in the background instead of 'the usual' !! Oh yes and if 'The Sound of Music' is playing for the very umpteenth time on TV I have the 'Ländler' scene timed to perfection to switch on for 'that' look!!!! Have actually seen Chris Plummer on Broadway . . . fantastic!!!

E / dig in hobart link
13/3/2015 04:52:41 pm

I'm a SoM fan too. Love 'hills are alive' best, and 'edelweis' always makes me teary.
Scrummy looking cupcakes!

Joanne T Ferguson link
13/3/2015 05:05:40 pm

G'day love your healthy cupcakes and your photos Lizzy! The Sound of Music is near and dear to my heart as used to watch it with an oldie EACH and EVERY week, so know all the words and songs by memory!
Cheers! Joanne

Red Nomad OZ link
14/3/2015 01:47:24 am

Well, thank you very much. I've now got a brain worm that'll probably stay with me all week :D I'm a late convert to cupcakes - I used to think they were a bit ... well ... boring! But a display of beautifully decorated cupcakes on a stand makes the best birthday cake EVER!

Tania @mykitchenstories link
14/3/2015 01:48:31 am

These certainly are whimsical cupcakes and lovely gluten free ones too.

David Scott Allen link
14/3/2015 03:58:41 am

These are so charming, Liz! And I love all the references to the Sound of Music. We were watching lady Gaga and were so pleased that she didn't do anything weird and, in fact, sounded lovely. Apparently, there is an upcoming special on the Sound of Music with Julia Andrews - I can't wait! Also, I look forward to showing Mark and the filming sites when we are in Salzburg this summer!

Hotly Spiced link
14/3/2015 11:15:34 am

I do love the movie and your cupcakes are very pretty. I have some dried petals in the pantry so I should whip up a batch of these - gorgeous xx

Adri link
15/3/2015 02:01:44 am

OK. Now I have The Sound of Music and Julie Andrews' glorious voice in my head. Thank you! This is such a pretty post, and the cupcakes are ever so tempting. Well done!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
15/3/2015 10:39:38 pm

I can remember going to see The Sound of Music with my gran and aunts when I was very young. Your whimsical cupcakes look fantastic Liz :)

Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
16/3/2015 09:46:24 am

Such pretty cupcakes, these would be perfect for Easter!

Krista link
16/3/2015 10:59:01 am

I love the Sound of Music too! SO much. :-) These cupcakes are absolutely delightful. :-)

Mary Frances link
16/3/2015 12:16:22 pm

Sound of Music is such a classic movie! These cupcakes are so pretty I almost couldn't eat them!

Laura Dembowski link
17/3/2015 01:41:17 am

I too love The Sound of Music. It is such a classic! As are these gorgeous cupcakes.

Liz link
17/3/2015 08:41:37 am

Such lovely cupcakes! My family doesn't think I make enough cake---we'd love these. I love the Sound of Music, too. When the kids were little, we took them to the theater to see it---and I little boy behind us wasn't thrilled with the production. He said very loudly, "this keeps getting worser and worser!" We all burst into laughter.

Fiona @TIFFIN bite sized food adventures link
17/3/2015 03:46:04 pm

I think Christopher Plummer was/is quite delish! The cupcakes are very pretty Liz.

Anna @ shenANNAgans link
25/3/2015 04:40:20 pm

Liz, your cupcakes are gorgeous. So pretty!
Do I indulge in whimsical moments? Heck yes. Often to pull myself out of a funk (work is sucky at the moment). I actually hadn't seen The Sound of Music until about 6 years ago (don't judge) when my sister in law said she would disown me if I didn't watch it stat. Soooo, I don't really have a favourite scene.

Elizabeth link
3/4/2015 10:18:15 pm

What fun, They do indeed look whimsical :) Thanks for sharing... I have a few friends that will love it when I bake these! Liz x


Comments are closed.

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