Candied-Hazelnut Cupcakes {msc}

So, I've been a follower of Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club for a few months, but never really got around to posting on time. I made the December Challenge, but completely forgot to post in time. This month I'm on the ball.

Jeanette from The Whimsical Cupcake chose Candied-Hazelnut Cupcakes. The recipe can be found on her site. I want to thank her for choosing this one because I've wanted to make these since I bought the book. They are almond-hazelnut cupcakes, with dark chocolate frosting and finished with a home-made candied-hazelnut.

Here they are:



I think I did a great job. They were really time consuming in all honesty, but not difficult at all. The only trouble I had was getting the sugar mixture to drop straight towards the final few. They last one's were not too straight.



And this one too. But I think it adds to the design. (I'm sticking with it).



And how did they taste? Absolutely delicious. The cakes themselves were so, so light, being made with egg whites rather than full eggs. I do love this version of frosting, it's not over chocolatey, it's just chocolatey enough. And candied hazelnuts? Yum.

Final words.

Be careful with the candied-hazelnuts, they can be sharp and spiky.

Don't worry about the amount of sugar stuff burnt to the pan, it actually washes off pretty easily.

Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club

I am now officially a member of the Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club.

Each month a recipe from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes
is chosen to be baked. Pictures are posted by the 15th of the month.

November's cupcake was Marshmallow Turkey Cupcakes (P.239), chosen by Rachel at Simple Girl. It's a bit late in the month for me to attempt them I think, however depending on how I feel on Saturday I may go and source the ingredients and actually do them.

December's cupcake is Fruitcakes with Meringue Mushrooms (P.249) chosen by Rebecca at beurrista. I'm really excited about these. I do need to get some nozzles for piping the meringue, something I have never done before. This will also be my first recipe from MSC that I will bake.

I have some cupcakes to bake for my daughter's school Children in Need event next Friday. I'm still deciding whether to attempt to make some Pudsey fondant toppers similar to these from Small Things Iced, or simply decorate them with buttercream.