- Tarun Kapoor is executive chef at Doha’s Horizon Manor Hotel. Send your feedback to: exe.chef@horizonmanor.comA cupcake is a small cake individually baked individually in a mould and served for a single person. Cupcakes are always a favourite among all age groups and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. In earlier centuries, before muffin tins were widely available, the cakes were often baked in individual pottery cups, ramekins, or moulds and took their name from the cups they were baked in. This is the name that has remained, and the name of “cupcake” is now given to any small cake that is about the size of a teacup. Right now, two possible theories are circulating in the food world. Both theories are based on cupcake recipes found in cookbooks from eras long ago. The first theory is that cake batter was cooked in teacups and other small containers since it took such a long time to cook cakes in older ovens. The small teacups cut the cooking time of cakes dramatically.The second theory is based on how the ingredients in the cupcake recipes were measured — like 1 cup flour, 1 cups sugar and 1 cup butter etcetera, making the cupcake a simple process without involving the weighing scale on which the baking dishes are heavily dependent.However they first came about, these wonderful creations we call cupcakes are still near and dear to everyone’s heart whether we’re young or just young at heart. This cupcake recipe will help you recreate your fondest childhood memories or create new memories. A standard cupcake uses the same basic ingredients as standard-sized cakes — butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Nearly any recipe that is suitable for a layer cake can be used to bake cupcakes. The cake batter used for cupcakes can be flavoured or have other ingredients stirred in, like candied fruits, raisins, fruit purees, berries, frozen foods, nuts, chocolate chips or biscuit crumble.Today the cupcake is in vogue and has gone gourmet. Cupcakes nowadays are more elegant, sophisticated and glamorous. Over the past few years, cupcake bakeries have opened around the globe with people even waiting late at night at their door to fulfil their sweet cravings and I am sure that this will continue. Chefs also are creating a lot of variety ranging from exotic flavours to meticulously decorated ones to ones that are coated in gold leaf or silver leaf for the niche clientele.Storage of cupcakesCupcakes can be stored for 2-3 days in an air tight container in the refrigerator to maintain the freshness. Berrylicious CupcakesIngredientsMakes 10 cupcakes of 90 grams eachFlour no 1 200 gmUnsalted butter 200 gmSugar 200 gmEgg 5 noVanilla extracts 1 tspBaking powder ½ tspBlueberry filling 100 gmFondant icingIcing sugar 250 gmWater 125 mlCream icing Whipping cream 300 mlMethodSift flour and baking powder together and keep aside. Pre-heat the oven at 180 Degree Celsius.Cream butter and sugar till all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is light and fluffy.Add eggs and vanilla extract one by one and mix well.Gradually add flour and mix using spatula by cut and fold method. Ensure not to over mix the mixture.Pour in the desired cupcake mould and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes.Pour a spoonful of blueberry filling and swirl using a tea spoon to create a marble effect. Check the cupcakes by piercing a cupcake with knife; if the knife comes out clear then the cupcake is cooked.Remove from oven and allow it to cool down; garnish with fondant icing or whipped cream as per your choice.For fondant icingCombine icing sugar and water and bring to boil till the mixture is of coating consistency.Pour on top of cupcakes and spread evenly while hot, allow to set and decorate with cream or sprinklers or fruits of your choice. For cream icingWhip the chilled cream to make it light and fluffy and pipe using a piping bag on top of cupcakes. Note: While the cupcakes are being baked do not open the oven door frequently to check the baking status of cupcakes as the oven temperature goes down once you open the door and that may affect the quality of the final product.