I have been watching the Great British Bake Off series the past couple of months. I loved every episode, even bought the book and some of the recipes have given me ideas for my beloved blog (Recipes to follow).

The winner was announced this week, I was very pleased that my favourite contestant won (Spoiler alert!) it was Jo. To celebrate the end of a mouth watering series I have adapted Mary’s chocolate velvet cupcakes this weekend. For topping I made orange flavoured icing.

 Ingredients for the chocolate velvet cupcakes:

• 175ml semi-skimmed milk
• 100g of dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
• 60g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 125g caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 150g sifted self raising flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• to make your cupcakes American red add a few drops of red food colouring

Ingredients for the orange flavoured icing:

• 50g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 50g light soft cheese spread
• 1 teaspoon of milk
• zest of 1 medium orange
• 260g of sifted icing sugar

Method for the cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Put paper cupcake cases on your cupcake tray
2. Pour the milk into a medium sized non-stick pan. Chop the chocolate and add it to the pan with one-third of the caster sugar. Leave it until the chocolate is melted on a low heat. Stir frequently. Once the chocolate is melted remove from the heat.
   

   Cupcakes

3. In a bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer, its much quicker but a wooden spoon can also be used. Beat until the butter is nice and creamy.
4. Add the vanilla extract and the sugar, beat thoroughly for around 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Quickly beat the egg in a separate bowl and gradually add it to the mixture. Beating well after each addition.
   

   Cupcakes

6. Mix the baking powder with the flour. Gradually add the flour and the chocolate liquid, fold the mixture using a metal spoon.
   

   Mixture

7. To make the cupcakes a red colour add a few drops of red food colouring.
8. Mix the mixture well, when completely amalgamated spoon the mixture to the cupcake cases.
9. Bake for around 18-20 minutes or until the cupcakes are well risen / the skewer comes out clean.
10. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the baking tray for 2 minutes.
    

    Cupcakes Ready

11. Transfer the cupcakes to the cooling tray.

Method for the orange flavoured icing:

1. In a bowl beat the butter until nice and creamy.
2. Add the light cheese spread and beat the mixture.
3. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar and mix well after each addition.
   

   Icing Topping

4. Finally add the zest of an orange and mix well.
   

   Orange zest

5. Pipe or spoon the icing on top of the cupcakes
   

   Chocolate velvet cupcakes

6. I have added a strawberry flavoured sweet for decoration

Enjoy the Yumminess!