Stem Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting and Gingerbread Men

Congratulations to Jinesse Taylor, winner of the 2011 Wellington Bake Off with her Stem Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting and Gingerbread Men.

CUPCAKES:

170g Butter, softened   (Mainland)

140g Dark brown sugar    (Chelsea Dark Cane Sugar)

4 tbls Treacle    (Chelsea)

3 large Eggs, lightly beaten    (Free range Eco Eggs)

230g Plain Flour

4 tsp Ground Ginger    (Greggs)

1 ½  tsp Ground Cinnamon    (Greggs)

½  tsp Mixed Spice    (Greggs)

2 pieces of Stem Ginger, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda (Hansells)

8 tbls Milk

Makes about 16.

·         Heat oven to 160’c and place double-layer paper cases in a muffin tray.

·         Sift flour, ground ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice together in a bowl.  Add the chopped ginger and toss in the flour mixture until well coated. 

·         In a separate bowl, dissolve the baking soda  in the milk and set aside.

·         Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.  Beat in the treacle, then gradually add in the eggs, beating well after each addition.

·         Beat in the flour mixture then gradually beat in the milk and baking soda mixture.

·         Spoon the mixture into the baking cases (about ¾ full).

·         Bake for 20 minutes until well risen and golden brown and allow to cool.

LEMON FROSTING:

250g Cream Cheese, room temperature   (Tararua)

50g Butter, softened   (Mainland)

3 Cups Icing Sugar   (Chelsea)

2 tbls Lemon Juice 

·         Beat cream cheese and butter together until combined.

·         Add the icing sugar and lemon juice and beat it until you have a smooth consistency that you can pipe on to the cupcake.

·         Place thin slivers of stem ginger on top of the iced cupcake along with a little gingerbread man.

GINGERBREAD MEN:

125g Butter

½ Cup firmly packed Brown Sugar   (Chelsea)

½ Cup Golden Syrup   (Chelsea)

1 Egg Yolk   (Free range Eco Eggs)

2 ½ Cups Plain Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda   (Hansells)

¼ tsp Baking Powder (Hansells)

2 tsp Ground Ginger   (Greggs)

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon   (Greggs)

¼ tsp Ground Cloves   (Greggs)

·         Heat oven to 180’c and line oven trays with baking paper.

·         Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

·         Beat in golden syrup and egg yolk.

·         Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices together.

·         Add to the butter mixture and using your hands, bring the dough together.

·         Turn on to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

·         Roll out to 5mm thick and cut out gingerbread men.

·         Bake for about 10 minutes or until cooked.