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These Gin & Elderflower Fairy Cakes are angelic!
Jun 7, 2021
Total flexibility, no commitment
A world of unique, crafted spirits
Easy, free and reliable delivery
If you thought fairy cakes (or butterfly cakes as they are sometimes known) are just for kids, think again. These boozy fairy cakes are for adults only!
Inspired by Fynoderee Manx Dry Gin Elder Shee Special Edition, our fabulous June 2021 Gin of the Month, which is itself inspired by the fairy-ridden folklore unique to the Isle of Man, they are an absolutely delicious, gin-spiked treat.
It’s a great recipe to try in the evening or at the weekend!
Each of these little cakes is full of floral and fragrant elderflower flavours that complement Fynoderee Manx Dry Gin Elder Shee Special Edition perfectly, making them a great snack to nibble as you sip our June 2021 Perfect G&T or Cocktail of the Month.
For a fruity twist on tradition, why not spend a summer afternoon fruit picking? You could then try muddling some freshly-picked blackberries into the icing for this recipe, or making your own ginny strawberry jam filling.
Equipment:
12 cupcake cases (use the shorter variety to encourage domed cake tops)
12-hole cupcake tray
For the cakes:
125g unsalted butter, softened
125g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of ½ lemon, optional
1 tsp baking powder
125g self-raising flour, sieved
2-3 tbsp of milk
For the icing:
110g butter, room temperature
250g icing sugar
1-2 tbsp elderflower syrup, to taste
2 tbsp gin
Edible glitter, optional
For the jam:
4 tbsp raspberry jam, or flavour of your choice
2 tbsp gin
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6 and line the tray with cupcake cases.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl, then mix in the eggs, vanilla extract and lemon zest.
3. Fold in the baking powder and flour, then add milk until the batter reaches a soft, dripping consistency.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake cases (an ice cream scoop works well here.) Bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven until golden.
5. Meanwhile, cream the butter, icing sugar, gin and elderflower syrup together until light and fluffy to create the butter icing. Add a touch of lemon juice to balance the flavour if you find it too sweet.
6. Whisk together one tablespoon of the gin with the jam, heating gently on the stove to loosen the jam if necessary. Slowly add the second tablespoon of gin to taste and leave to cool.
7. Remove the cakes from the oven and use a sharp knife to slice off the domed tops. Angle the knife downwards slightly as you cut so that a slightly concave hole is left in each cake. Cut the removed cake top in half and set it aside.
8. Spoon a teaspoon of the jam and gin mixture into the hole of each cake, then pipe or spoon the elderflower butter icing on top.
9. Finally, place the two ‘fairy wings’ of cake on top of the icing, and add a sprinkle of glitter for a touch of magic. Find a whimsical, secluded spot and enjoy your fairy cakes with a large G&T or elderflower cocktail.
The team at The Fynoderee Distillery take inspiration from Manx folklore and the picturesque, magical landscape of their home, the Isle of Man, for each of their fabulous gins. Their newest edition, Fynoderee Manx Dry Gin Elder Shee Special Edition, which was made exclusively for Craft Gin Club is no different. It’s a stunning gin that’s full of mouth-watering floral, citrus and herb flavours that are a perfect match for the cupcakes above.
You can read the full story behind that remarkable gin and take a closer look at its beautiful bottle right here or by clicking on the picture below.
