Flavoured Cupcakes

Cupcakes are loved by kids especially when you add a decorative touch to them. I make them in a few flavours to make this simple treat more interesting, and in my last batch I made almond, strawberry and chocolate-flavoured ones. They make a nice after-school snack for my son and he tends to like the strawberry and the chocolate ones. As a mom I try to avoid too much sweet in our diet so I used less sugar than most cookbooks suggest and no frosting or icing. Instead of sugar I try to add to or enhance the flavours if I can - for instance, adding real chocolate to the chocolate-flavoured ones and real almonds to the almond-flavoured ones. Kids (and adults) seem to find them enjoyable and not notice the less sugar.

Recipe
Makes about 18 normal-sized cupcakes

You will need:

• 4 eggs
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ lb butter
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup warm milk

For the flavourings (to your taste):

• Almond essence
• Strawberry syrup
• Cocoa powder/ chocolate syrup

For the toppings (to your taste):

• Chocolate, chopped (optional)
• Almonds, shaved (optional)
• Strawberries, sliced (optional)

To make the cupcake mix:

• Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl.
• Add the eggs a little at a time until smooth and fluffy.
• Add the self-rising flour and baking powder, and continue mixing
• Add the milk and mix until smooth.

Then:

• Depending on how many flavours you want to make divide the mixture into equal parts in separate bowls. I divided the mixture into three equal parts.
• For the Almond-flavoured ones add 2 teaspoons almond essence, mix and pour into the cupcake cups, and sprinkle shaved almonds on top if desired.
• For Strawberry flavour add 1½ tablespoons of strawberry syrup, mix and pour into the cupcake cups, and top with a slice of fresh strawberry if desired.
• For Chocolate flavour add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or 1½ tablespoons of chocolate syrup (or both for a chocolatier flavor) mix and pour into the cupcake cups, and sprinkle chopped chocolate on top if desired.
• Arrange the filled cupcake cups on a baking pan.
• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.