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Perfect Valentine's Cupcakes With Eloise Durrant of The Gourmet Cupcake Company
Story by AmityUK, GourmetCupcakeCo
Published on February 10, 2010 in How-To 		Photo by

GourmetCupcakeCo

On a journey from cupcake crush to professional baker, Eloise Durrant of The Gourmet Cupcake Company has amassed an impressive portfolio of tempting confection both eclectic in flavour and original in design. Three time winner of London's Iron Cupcake competition, she reveals here a wickedly indulgent recipe, which is guaranteed to get the taste buds tingling this Valentine's Day.

Just make sure he shares…

It's 1995. I'm sixteen, and I'm in love.

Positively, absolutely, head over heels in love... with my first ever batch of cupcakes.

Whilst most girls my age were busy chasing boys, I was concentrating my efforts into tracking down some obscure ingredients and the prettiest of pretty sprinkles for my next cupcake experiment. Caught in a whirlwind romance of icing sugar, I could tell it was the start of something special.

Over the next ten years, passion turned to obsession turned to business. Cupcakes, much like puppies, freshly cut grass or new cotton sheets, are a universal pleasure that never seems to diminish in appeal. Whether your relationship with this baked good is more sentimental nostalgia or city girl's ambrosia, cupcakes make for a fool-proof Valentine's Day staple.

It is with pleasure that I share this guide to perfect Valentine's cupcakes. I hope this recipe for A Dozen Chocolate Truffle Roses will give your loved one the same sugar rush of heaven they have given mine.

Recipe for a dozen Chocolate Truffle Rose Cupcakes

For the truffle centres:
100g good quality dark chocolate
1 tbsp double cream
2½ tbsp brandy
1 tsp rose extract
1 tbsp icing sugar

 

  1. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water and melt, stirring frequently.
  2. Then stir in the cream, the brandy, rose extract and icing sugar.
  3. Chill this for about 15 minutes while you prepare the cake mixture.
  4. Or… cheat! Buy a box of chocolate truffles and pop one into the centre of each cake before baking.

For the cupcakes:
120g good quality dark chocolate
115g unsalted butter
250g caster sugar
1 tsp decent vanilla extract
3 large eggs
100g plain flour
¼ tsp salt

  1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake cases.
  2. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
  3. Let cool for a few minutes and mix in the sugar with an electric hand mixer.
  4. Add the vanilla and the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.
  5. Mix in the salt and the flour.
  6. Divide half the mixture among the cupcake cases then make a small recess in each one with the back of a teaspoon. Spoon the chocolate truffle mixture into the centre of each then spoon the remaining mixture on top to cover it.
  7. Bake for around 20-25 minutes until firm to the touch.

For the frosting:
125g good quality dark chocolate
150g unsalted butter, softened
150g icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

  1. Melt the chocolate as before and leave to cool to room temperature.
  2. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter with the sugar for about 2 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the vanilla extract then add the chocolate and beat on low speed until all incorporated.
  4. Increase the speed and beat for a further 2 minutes until frosting is smooth.
  5. Swirl or smother on the cupcakes, whichever takes your fancy.

For the rose petals:
1 egg white
50g sugar
The petals from 2 organic red roses

  1. Whisk egg white in small bowl until foamy.
  2. Take a pastry brush and brush the rose petals on both sides with the egg white foam very lightly. Be careful not to use too much egg white as this will not produce a good frosted effect.
  3. Sprinkle on both sides with the sugar.
  4. Dry on rack at least 8 hours or preferably overnight. NB: Don’t put the petals in the fridge as they will lose their candied crunch.
  5. Pop a rose petal on each cupcake and adorn further if you desire with edible glitter or sprinkles.

Many thanks to Eloise for sharing her story and this incredible recipe with us! For more home cooking inspiration and international news, be sure to check out the links below.

Food on the Etsy Blog | Plants and Edibles Category

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Tags AmityUK, baking, chef, cooking, cooks, cupcakes, dessert, etsy international, europe, food, home cooking, homemade, iron cupcake London, lifestyle, London, plants and edibles, recipes, sweets, UK, UK edition, united kingdom
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108 comments     Login to add your own!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:08 a.m. babinka1981

Oh I love Cakes~! Wonderfull! thanks~!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:08 a.m. monkeyandsquirrel

wow! those sound pretty darn incredible! yuuuuum :)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:13 a.m. BayMoonDesign

Being a real sweet freak and specializing in chocolate consumption, I love these picks!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:18 a.m. CocoaBeans

i love all of these cupcakes yum:)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:24 a.m. MireilleLagow

I love cupcakes so much. Thanks for the recipes. They look absolutely delicious!!!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:29 a.m. ABoxForMyTreasure

I'm trying out that recipe this weekend - sounds divine!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:32 a.m. CannibalCrafts

They're lovely to eat AND look at!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:36 a.m. BetaBoutique

+ 1o for cupcakes!
I will try to make some for my beloved this Valentine :)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:44 a.m. Ebruk

Yummmy, I want to eat now...

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:46 a.m. humblebea

Yum... I am pretty sure my daughter will make these! (-:

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:48 a.m. mythunderstood

sugar flower fairy cakes - very cute!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:50 a.m. poppyswickedgarden

OOOH That Does look Delish:) This makes me miss working in a bakery!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:57 a.m. Vanessa

Celcius representing on the Etsy blog!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:58 a.m. helenaemmans

Yum its making me hungry!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 9:59 a.m. uncharted

these look so delicious!!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:03 a.m. RainyPenguinVintage

Yum, I love cupcakes! I'd love to make these. Anyone tried to convert the measurements to cups, teaspoons, etc.?

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. harvestgoldgallery

wow, YUM! thanks for the other cupcake themed items to fill our visual appetites!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:17 a.m. greencouchdesign

What a wonderful post! So fun, I love cupcakes myself and this was just so fun to read. Thank you for sharing.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:19 a.m. DanaCastle

Oh, yummy! I will have to try to make these cupcakes this weekend!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:22 a.m. nowonder

I love cupcakes! Thanks for teh recipy!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:25 a.m. TeesignsDesigns

Perfect! I'll be trying this really soon! Thank you!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:27 a.m. worksofwhimsy

Sounds decadent, but I want someone to make them for me!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:28 a.m. urbanknitfits

my mouth is watering all over my key board!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:33 a.m. KattyKinns

Yummy, they look soooo good I'll have to try this out ASAP!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:34 a.m. ThePeachTree

I have that pirate kitty shirt! These sound SOOOO good :)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:38 a.m. DucksInARowBoutique

Forget about the dozen roses, I'll take a dozen cupcakes! :o)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:49 a.m. VixVintage

Yummy, thanks so much for sharing.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:52 a.m. SudsNSuch

Yummy! Thanks for sharing:)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:52 a.m. DalkullanJewelry

The cupcakes sound yummy! I like the idea about using premade truffles instead of making your own. RainyPenguinVintage if you have a kitchen scale I think you can just use the gram values, most scales will have the values in ounces and grams, kind of like how a speedometer will have both miles per hour and kilometers per hour. Just weigh the ingredients instead of using a measuring cup.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:07 a.m. freerangeart

Well there goes my diet!!!

I wonder how well do these freeze, I would love to make a big batch and freeze some to have on hand for high tea and such

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:12 a.m. ShebboDesign

hmm, yummy yummyyy itemss.... where is my desserts and chocolates?

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:19 a.m. astarteearthart

yuuuuuuummmmmmm, I'm salivating now...

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:21 a.m. bylynnkrestel

ok...start the chocolate now...great prelude to a weekend of love - and olympics!!!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:27 a.m. genisepark

No getting out of exercise now....I want them yum!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:40 a.m. petitwovenplay

That bowl of chocolate frosting is calling me. Mmmm....mmmm....mmmm.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:45 a.m. girltuesdayjewelry

These Truffle Rose Cupcakes sound divine!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:45 a.m. wasijiru

The whipped chocolate above had me at hello.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:02 p.m. dovesofmilan1

This recipe looks amazing. I can just smell them baking!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:16 p.m. saintesmariesjewelry

love the packaging, and the pictures super glam and professional, I love it!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:19 p.m. accentonvintage

Give me a cupcake and especially the chocolate one! Thanks!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. ElizabethOcean

Cupcakes like these are most definitely a work of art. But much better than regular art since you can't get a sugar rush from a painting...

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:42 p.m. maggiemaevintage

beautiful... thanks for sharing this special recipe.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:45 p.m. eroa

so good! love cupcakes:-)

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:48 p.m. SHAbang

cupcakes rule. Can't wait to order some from the local shop up the street for Valentine's Day!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:57 p.m. IndyGrrrlProductions

I love this theme and the recipe!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. BlackStar

Thanks for sharing the recipe! I'll definately make this one when my roses bloom.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:09 p.m. ginnywinny

they look and sound heavenly! Thanks for sharing the recipe. :)Happy baking!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:21 p.m. Morado

Lurpak makes me nostalgic! yum

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:22 p.m. marilynmetzger

You do incredible work!! Baking is my all-time favorite craft; I love to see those who have taken to an ART-FORM level!!
Regards,
Marilyn

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:25 p.m. shesbattydesigns

Since we can't go anywhere because of the snow I know what I'll be doing today - making cupcakes!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 2:01 p.m. unikmotif

Thanks for Sharing! Definitely trying one of the recipes this weekend!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 2:10 p.m. xoxsmiley

What a perfect combination of flavors for Valentine's Day: chocolate AND roses! Love it!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 2:59 p.m. valleygirldesigns

Love the cupcake picture, what a perfect valentine gift.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:03 p.m. RainyPenguinVintage

Thanks DalkullanJewelry! I do indeed have a kitchen scale. I guess it's time to start baking!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:08 p.m. designlab443

Did I say Yum?.... YUM!!!!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:27 p.m. GeorginaKay

OMG these sound delicious

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:43 p.m. GourmetCupcakeCo

Thank you all so much for your kind words! I hope you enjoy this recipe. And even though this is the UK blog and we're all about grams and celsius, for the transatlantic cupcake lovers here is a useful calculator so y'all can convert specific ingredients to cups. Enjoy! http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cooking-...

Feb. 10, 2010 at 4:40 p.m. ArtisticIntentions

Yum!! And very beautiful! Thank you for sharing the recipe!!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 4:40 p.m. LustreBeads

Wow! They look amazing, I adore cupcakes and am loving the UK blog so far. Seeing the familiar packaging of the Lurpack and icing sugar made me smile. Yum yum yum!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 4:49 p.m. VixensEmpire

Eloise, will you marry me? You'll make me the fattest and happiest girl in all of Texas!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 4:50 p.m. HelloShoes

I need some cupcakes now. Those look great. Going to Sprinkles.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 7:15 p.m. julessabjewelry

Everything looks so YUMMY! Congrats on the success and believe me, from a devoted sweet tooth, you can NEVER make too many cupcakes! Thank you for sharing your recipe and I'll be sure to eat every last one!

I will have to try my hand at the rose truffles... I made some Rum espresso dark chocolate truffles for family and friends at Christmas and I do have to say, they're easy and so much fun to make.

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:21 p.m. artofjane

What is it about a cupcake?! Yours are beautiful!

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:13 p.m. recycledwares

guess i'll have to visit the site to get some treats :) not that i wouldn't order from your website, but i was hoping for a Gourmet Cupcake Company etsy store.

Feb. 11, 2010 at 3:14 a.m. TanyaMac

yum! ;) i may just try these out on the hubby this weekend - isn't Sunday the BEST day ever for Valentines??? love it! ♥

Feb. 11, 2010 at 6:46 a.m. AmelieFrenchie

Hummm it looks so yummy! I really need to try it.

Feb. 11, 2010 at 7:31 a.m. baconsquarefarm

Mnnnn nummy nummy have to try these and surprise mr pete I made something just for him~!

Feb. 11, 2010 at 9:48 a.m. TigerVintage

YAY! I am OF COURSE making cupcakes for v-day. I don't care much for the holiday but any excuse to make a crazy amount of cupcakes & I'm all over it!!

Feb. 11, 2010 at 10:16 a.m. BebesDecor

thanks for the great tips! these cupcakes are so adorable!

Feb. 11, 2010 at 10:17 a.m. AudreyGardenLady

Yummy!!!!
Chocolate overload!!

Audrey

Feb. 11, 2010 at 1:18 p.m. LiahLovesLuna

Thanks! I think I just gained 5 lbs! :)

Feb. 11, 2010 at 1:24 p.m. ElegantHobbies

WOW!!! Looks Awesome!!! I love Chocolate!! lol..

Feb. 11, 2010 at 1:37 p.m. CatzillaCrafts

mmm! Looks yummy! I plan on making my favorite Rosewater and Pistachio cupcakes for valentine's day. :) I have Organic Catnip Cupcakes on sale! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...

Feb. 11, 2010 at 4:33 p.m. CutieDynamite

Delish! Time to get my chocolate fix....

Feb. 12, 2010 at 6:35 a.m. QuiteContrary2

Aw, this is making me drool - wish i'd seen this earlier, think i'm goign to have to make them next week instead! and thank you for picking my 'I love cake' card too to highlight the amazing things that cupcakes are!

Feb. 12, 2010 at 8:38 a.m. SilkMari

Beautiful..and sexy looking...will try these for Valentine's Day.

Feb. 14, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. kezbirdie

Man this post has made me hungry and left me craving for cupcakes!

Feb. 16, 2010 at 12:29 a.m. Tiffydesigns

OOOH the cupcakes look so good. Great job! Mine will never turn out as great as yours.