Vanilla and Pansy Fairy Cakes with Lavender Buttercream
Kayla and I have been happily starting seeds and tending to new sprouts now that spring is coming forward. Even if the temperatures are still dipping a bit low, it is ever so lovely inside the greenhouse this time of year. It is also a wonderful place to enjoy an afternoon coffee and sweet treat. The early blossoms, like edible pansy flowers, are an ideal choice for decorating a seasonal dessert like these mini vanilla cakes decorated with flowers. The cake recipe is quite simple and can be used as a full cake, cupcakes or in this case, a silicone cake mold. I found my cake mold here (link). Paired with a yummy buttercream frosting and playful pansy blossoms, these cakes are the perfect springtime treat!
ingredients & recipe:
BUTTERMILK CAKE:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:
1 cup butter
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream or milk
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly grease and flour a 9x13” baking pan or lightly spray a cupcake tin or silicone cupcake mold.
In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in buttermilk, butter, and vanilla.
Beat with electric mixer on low until combined. Increase to high speed and continue mixing for 2 minutes. Add eggs and beat for 2 more minutes.
Pour batter into silicone molds filling just a bit past halfway. The cake mold is very flimsy, so put it on a cookie sheet to bake. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cakes test done.
Let cool completely before removing from mold to a wire cooling rack.
Make the buttercream. In a mixer, blend butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until well blended. add vanilla and heavy cream until until a desired consistency is reached. To color the buttercream, use a gel food coloring in violet.
I cut the cakes in half and used a piping bag to fill the middles and then piped on a bit more frosting on top to decorate with pansy flowers. I can’t wait to make some for the next party that we host!
xx Jill
