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mary berry fairy cakes

Mary Berry Fairy Cakes

Iced Fairy Cakes are light, fluffy, and topped with a sweet icing—perfect for any occasion, big or small.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 160
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup 115g salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup 115g all-purpose flour
  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup + 1 tablespoon 115g granulated sugar
  • 1¾ cups 225g confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 2 –3 tablespoons warm water
  • Sweets to decorate

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper cases.
  2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or just a wooden spoon for this.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture. Be gentle while mixing, so you don’t deflate the batter.
  5. Spoon the batter into the cupcake cases, filling them about ¾ of the way full.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. While the cakes are cooling, it’s time to make the icing. In a bowl, combine the sifted confectioners' sugar and warm water. Stir until you get a smooth, thick icing. If it's too thick, add a little more water, one drop at a time.
  8. Spread the icing on top of each cake, covering the top evenly. Be sure to let the icing set for a few minutes.
  9. Decorate with sweets of your choice—sprinkles, small candy pieces, or even colored sugar work great.

Notes

How to Make Orange Fairy Cakes

If you're in the mood for a citrus twist, you can easily turn your Mary Berry fairy cakes into delicious orange fairy cakes! Simply follow the same recipe, but with a little added zest. Grate the zest of one orange and mix it in with the other ingredients for a burst of fresh, tangy flavor. For the icing, instead of using just water, gradually blend confectioners' sugar with the juice of one orange until you get a thick, smooth icing. This adds a lovely citrusy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the soft, fluffy cakes. Orange fairy cakes are just as easy to make and will be a hit for anyone who loves a bit of fruity flavor in their treats!