An Optimum ThermoCook recipe.
It’s our wedding anniversary this coming weekend.
Two years ago in gale-force winds my husband and I got married. It was a small ceremony with close family and friends with an overnight stay in a hotel and a lovely meal afterwards. Nothing too extravagant.
It was a steampunk wedding though. (You can see some photographs here and here!)
To celebrate our anniversary my husband has booked us a night into a local hotel – a rare child free night! I can’t wait!
In the meantime, I thought I’d make something a little special to share with the kids beforehand, something edible. Something steampunk themed.
I pondered ideas, and while pacing around the coffee table in the living room trying to meet my daily 20,000 step FitBit goal, the idea of making dark chocolate steampunk cogs and gears to decorate the top of a cupcake sprang to mind.
Some time ago I was sent a nifty little Lekue Decomat to play with – a silicone pot with a nozzle and a clear silicone mat. You place your templates under the clear mat and draw over the top with melted chocolate. Searching google I found some designs I liked and I printed them off. It was rather therapeutic drawing out the designs, and the chocolate solidified fairly quickly after setting it outdoors in the January weather to chill.
A rather effective technique, I think! I used these little dark chocolate decorations to decorate the top of a chocolate and vanilla swirl cupcake base topped with a bourbon vanilla buttercream.
I used Nielsen-Massey Madagascan vanilla bean paste for the cake and the frosting as I love the little flecks of vanilla seed in it, and using bourbon vanilla seems so appropriately exotic and steampunk.
I’ve also recently decided to become a cake stand collector. This happened while I was out Christmas shopping for my family and I ended up buying two brand new cake stands for myself, raising my tally to four.
A fifth was added shortly afterwards – this fantastic three tiered steampunk cake stand from a company called Bags of Love. They print your own designs on a wide variety of merchandise, from mugs to blankets to cake stands and everything in between. I found a few images from the very talented Nikolayenko Yekaterina on Shutterstock to personalize my cake stand and it turned out rather well, I think!
Because I’m rubbish at tempering chocolate (it’s something I have yet to master) I have to store these cupcakes in the fridge or the decorations will droop, but my children and my husband (who very kindly obliged and put on his wedding outfit to pose for a few photographs with said cake – doesn’t he scrub up well! He got to eat the cake afterwards, fair payment, no?) absolutely loved them. I’m on a fitness training mission (more about that later!) so I didn’t get to taste the cakes, but I have it on very good authority that they’re really rather awesome.
In a New Year decluttering phase I threw out my knackered and ancient food processor. I only ever used it for creaming butter and sugar together and it was taking up valuable space in my small kitchen. Between my Froothie Optimum 9400 high speed blender and my brand new Optimum ThermoCook I’m covered.
This recipe was made in my Optimum ThermoCook, a rather nifty all-in-one multi-function cooking appliance. I’m still learning about all the things you can do in this gadget but it really does absolutely everything. You can read my review here. It whips up cake batter in no time, you can melt chocolate in the steamer and icing only takes a matter of seconds to make!
Table of Contents
Dark Chocolate & Bourbon Vanilla Steampunk Cupcakes
Ingredients
for the chocolate vanilla swirl cupcakes
- 100 grams butter
- 200 grams caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 150 ml full fat milk
- 150 grams plain flour plus another 25 grams
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 25 grams cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste (I use Neilsen-Massey)
for the bourbon vanilla buttercream
- 225 grams butter
- 450 grams icing sugar
- 1.5 tsp Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste
- 3 tbsp full fat milk
for the dark chocolate steampunk cogs and gears
- 100 grams dark chocolate at least 85% cocoa solids
Affiliate Links
This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 C/ 160 C fan and line a 12 hole cupcake tin with large cases.
- Weigh out the butter and caster sugar in the Thermocook bowl, put the lid on securely and PULSE in 7 second goes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the remaining ingredients except for the cocoa powder and extra plain flour and select CHOP for 20 second. Scrape down the sides and CHOP again for a further 5 seconds, if required.
- Measure out half the batter (approximately 330 grams) into a medium sized bowl.
- Add the cocoa powder to the Thermocook bowl and CHOP for 5 seconds.
- Add the vanilla and remaining 25 grams of plain flour to the mixture you've poured out into a separate bowl and whisk until combined thoroughly.
- Alternately spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases until they are 2/3 full. Using a wooden skewer, draw lines through the batter until it forms swirls.
- Bake for 25 minutes until golden and springy to touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, clean out the bowl of the Thermocook and fill with a few inches of cold water. Select BOIL and switch off when the water has boiled.
- Break your chocolate into a small heat proof bowl and cover tightly in foil. You don't want any water to get into the bowl.
- Place the bowl into the larger steamer and select STEAM. The automatic setting is for 20 minutes, but you can pause it every now and again, leaving the lid off, so that the chocolate melts.
- Search for steampunk gear and cog images on Google and print off designs that you like. Place the print -out underneath the clear silicone mould of your Lekue Decomat (or use greaseproof paper).
- Pour the melted, slightly cooled, dark chocolate into the Decomat pen fitted with the small nozzle and trace your cogs and gears. Leave to harden in a cool place (I put mine outside!).
- To prepare the Madagascan bourbon vanilla buttercream frosting, place all the ingredients in the bowl of the cooled Thermocook and select CHOP for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and CHOP for a further 5 seconds.
- Frost the cupcakes using a large star shape nozzle and decorate with the chocolate cogs and gears. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Environmental Information
Click here to view the detailed nutritional information for this recipe, as analyzed by My Fitness Pal.
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LINKING UP WITH A FEW FOOD BLOGGING CHALLENGES
Tasty Tuesdays by Honest Mum
Tea Time Treats by The Hedgecombers and Lavender & Lovage
Recipe of the Week by A Mummy Too
The #YumTum Linky from The Mummy Toolbox
#CookBlogShare by Sneaky Veg
Bake of the Week by Casa Costello
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary is a Froothie Ambassador and she uses the Froothie Optimum 9400 blender, the Froothie Optimum 600 slow juicer and the Optimum ThermoCook to make many of her recipes. These are affiliate links, meaning if you buy a blender or juicer through them we will earn a small commission. This is not a paid post and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
This post also contains Amazon affiliate links highlighted in orange. Any purchase made through these links will earn us a small commission and you will be helping to support our family.
With thanks to Lekue for the Decomat and Bags of Love for the cake stand.
Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home, for now. One eye is always on the horizon.
Luxury white Bedding says
These cupcakes are absolutely & looking nice too.
Janice says
Oh my goodness, Elizabeth. I made these cupcakes for my husbands birthday and they are incredible. Can’t believe how much they rose with so little raising agent. Also I’m never making buttercream any other way, the Thermocook is awesome for making buttercream.
Leandra says
They are amazing. Not only do they sound delicious. They look fantastic. Very clever
Tracey S Anderson says
These look so yummy and very creative 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us all 🙂 X x
sandy ralph says
oh wow i must try these for my daughter as she just loves steampunk and these look amazing
Andrew Petrie says
These must be the most visually appealing cakes I have ever seen and I do like the bizarre name – it invites curiosity !
Andrew Petrie says
This is one of those where I think to myself “Well i really couldn’t care less how many calories there are”.
Neha Parmar says
What a unique idea Thanks for sharing the recipe looks yummy
Leah Miller says
Wow, these cakes look incredible! I loev the idea of using the stencils to create the shapes in chocolate, and the whole effect looks great, yummy! xx
Andrew Petrie says
These are so visually appealing that I don’t see how they can be anything less than delicious !
don erwood says
These look so intricate and fantastic. I am not sure I would have a steady enough hand for this but they do make them look stunning.
Heather Haigh says
They look great. You must have a very steady hand. I’m pretty sure if I tried that I’d have chocolate splodge cupcakes.
Maya Russell says
The decorations are very creative and makes the cupcakes look so good!
Leanne says
These looks delicious. I really need to master icing cupcakes. I make a right mess of it!
Charli Blogs says
These look amazing!!!
I’m now following your blog and getting VERY hungry..!
Eve Redmond says
These look amazing! You are so talented and I bet you enjoyed eating them!
Jenny says
These look amazing! I want one now! How cool to have had a steam punk wedding, will have to check out your posts for pictures. Great idea of how to make the cogs, like the chocolate squeezey thing, so much easier to use.
Thanks so much for linking up to #HowtoSunday 🙂 x
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
These are fantastic. What a super amazing idea. I love the flavours too.
Helen at CAsa Costello says
Happy Anniversary to you – Fantastic Chocolate work. I completely love these pics and have cake stand envy! Thanks so much for joining in with #Bakeoftheweek
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
These cupcakes sound totally divine. I LOVE cooking/baking with bourbon….my husband LOVES bourbon. They LOOK awesome too. I will have to make these for him…would be perfect for Valentine’s Day….have pinned and scheduled to share on FB
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
Oh my gosh, I’m dying! Those cupcakes are so cute!! The bourbon vanilla bean paste in the cupcakes sounds amazing. I clicked through to see your steampunk wedding photos and A++. That group picture is just fantastic.
Michelle says
These are so cool! I’ve never seen anything like it. I bet they tasted awesome too 🙂
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
What a creative way to decorate cupcakes. Super fun idea!
Dooseet says
what a great idea! and it cost you so much work! I love themed parties and when you add themed food into if – splendid! this year we had a horror New year’s Eve and I made finger sandwiches, that looked like dead men fingers actually. These kind of food gives so much fun 🙂
Rachel Bustin says
These look stunning! I love the detail in the chocolate cogs. xx
#HowToSunday
OneDizzyBee says
These are perfectly beautiful. If they taste half as good as they look, this recipe could make you rich. I could seriously see these creations in a shop window, and if I did, I would have to go into the shop to have a look around. You’re incredibly talented and your photography is top notch in my book too.
Laura Hartley says
Love the chocolate details! They look so complicated and yet you’ve made making them look so simple 😀
Robyn says
Wow, super impressed on two levels. One: you made the chocolate decorations yourself and they look amazing. Two: you were strong enough to avoid a taste test. If I ever wanted to start eating better, my whole family would have to go without baked goods! These look delicious.
Kate ItsABugsLife29 says
I love the theme! And they look spectacular. How you didn’t eat them I can’t understand! #HowToSundays
Kelly Robinson says
These look amazing. So clever with the decoration! Hope your husband likes how much effort you put in 🙂 #howtosundays
Ickle Pickle says
Gosh, these are work of art – the best cupcakes I have seen! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Kaz x
Elizabeth says
Aw thank you! We did have a fantastic weekend – a well deserved treat!
Helen Moulden says
These look incredible! All of your food is so beautifully presented too!
Natasha Mairs says
These look great!! And you make it look so easy making the chocolate shapes. If I made them they would just look like a big splodge
tracey bowden says
Happy anniversary I hope you have a lovely child free night away!
These cupcakes look absolutely divine and I love the stencil what a great idea and the results are fab! I an awful at baking or anything like this but I really wish I wasn’t!
Deanna says
These look amazing! I love the nozzle and stencil idea for chocolate, I’ve never seen this before. They look DELICIOUS, I really love the theme too! So unique <3
Rebecca Smith says
These look delicious! Loving the steampunk theme!
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
Wow, these are show stoppers! The mat for the templates is a fab idea.
Emily says
Very cool! I know someone who had a steampunk wedding – so different! xx
Munchies and Munchkins says
These look absolutely amazing Elizabeth, so beautiful!
Swayam says
Happy anniversary!! What gorgeous cupcakes! I loveee the work you have done.. Beautiful
Julia@Vikalinka says
These are so creative and no doubt delicious! Happy anniversary!.
Chocolate Lover says
These steampunk chocolate cogs are so beautifully done. What a fantabulous idea.
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
Adore your cupcakes! the decorations are just fab and they look marvellous on that cake stand!
Camilla says
Loving these cupcakes Elizabeth! I had never heard of SteamPunk before your wedding but it looks like a lot of fun;-)
Elizabeth says
Glad to have had the opportunity to introduce you to something new 🙂
Kerry at Kerry Cooks says
Such a great idea! I love using chocolate to draw my own cupcake toppers, but I’m so impressed with how well you’ve drawn your designs, even using the template!
Elizabeth says
This was the first time I ever tried anything like this and I’m so glad it worked out the way I saw it in my head. 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate says
So original. These cupcakes would be the talk of the town. Love it!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Ali, glad you like them!
Bam's Kitchen says
Happy Anniversary! Your steam boat cupcakes are really genius. Delicious and fun!
Elizabeth says
Thank you – steam punk, but close! 😉
Ramya Menon @ War and Cheese says
These are beautiful!!! What a cool idea
Elizabeth says
Thanks Ramya 🙂
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
Oh wow they look amazing! Happy anniversary, I love the cakes you have made to celebrate. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kirsty 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a great blog challenge!
Mandy says
Oh happy anniversary! Hope you had a lovely evening. I love your cupcakes. The chocolate decorations are perfect. My friend plays in a steampunk band and I’m sure that her and her bandmates would love to have some of these cakes. Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks so much Mandy 🙂 I bet your friend’s steampunk band is fantastic – what are they called? I’ll look them up!
Agata says
These look perfect! I am not much of a cupcake lover but I have to admit I would not be able to resist one of those beauties.
Elizabeth says
I bet you’d be a cupcake convert if you came to visit me! 😀
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Happy Anniversary! I just love these cupcakes. Not only are they creative, but chocolate and bourbon? YES PLEASE!!
Elizabeth says
Thank you! I was rather pleased with my bourbon vanilla purchase at Christmastime 🙂
Beth (OMG! Yummy) says
Thanks for sharing my cheesy biscuits. These are so fantastic! You have so much spunk and patience than I do. Hope you had a great childless evening away!
Elizabeth says
We did have a lovely evening out – it was a rare treat for us!
Rachael says
since i commented on your instagram, i had to give this a little comment too!
i absolutely LOVE these, they are so cool and sound declious!!
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Rachael! Delighted you like them 🙂
Lisa says
There are so gorgeous! I’m pinning them to my beautiful food board and I would love to try your technique some time!
Elizabeth says
It’s really rather simple to do if you’ve got the right tools. Good luck! 🙂
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
These are so beautiful and the photos are fantastic! I love that you used the vanilla bean paste, that is one of my new favorite ingredients.
Elizabeth says
It’s one of mine too – such a fantastic ingredient!
Alice Megan says
Wow!
They look absolutely delicious I’ve never seen anything like it such gorgeous decorating too
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Alice! 😀
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says
oh my word these are amazing! They look too good to eat! Love the photos of these – and I had a nosey at the wedding photos you linked – they look amazing!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Jenni 🙂 Glad you liked our wedding photos too! It was something a little different, and I’m all for out of the ordinary!
Janette@CulinaryGinger says
Happy Anniversary! I love the Lekue Decomat, I think one of those is in my future. Fantastic cupcakes and I’m sad I don’t have one right now in my hand.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Janette! I can’t say how much I’m loving my decomat – it really is a useful tool – so versatile too!
Debra @ Bowl Me Over says
Oh my gosh these look amazing! Your pictures are great and how fun your wedding looked!! I took a swing over to that page too – congratulations to you!!!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Debra 🙂
Charlotte says
These are soo stunning and look tasty too! I love that you had a themed wedding it means you can do things like this on anniversaries as a reminder! not sure I would share these with the kids though :p I would probably keep them for myself :p Thanks so much for linking up to #YUMTUM I would love to see you next week ! Thanks for sharing your fab recipe!
Elizabeth says
I never thought of it like that, but yes – definitely! Glad to see a new blogging challenge on the block too! 🙂
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
Dark chocolate and bourbon. what a great combination.
Elizabeth says
It sure is! 😀
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
How cool are those?! I love those intricate cupcake toppers!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Liz, I’m really glad they turned out as I had visualised them. It wouldn’t have happened without the decomat!
Choclette says
You really are a marvel Elizabeth as are your steampunk cupcakes. My how the time flies. I can’t believe it was two years ago you got married. It was you that introduced me to the concept of steampunk. Hope you have a lovely weekend and enjoy your hotel stay.
A cake stand collection sounds like an eminently suitable thing for a food blogger to collect and I love your steampunk one.
Elizabeth says
I can hardly believe it’s been two years either! How time flies! We did have a fantastic night away, thanks, and yes, I’m loving my new cake stand too!
Catstello says
These look great! I love that people are still repping the steampunk style
Elizabeth says
I don’t think it will ever die. It’s too awesome. 😀
Chris @thinlyspread says
Oh. My. Word. I am in LURVE! Utterly gorgeous cakes – I have to make those cogs immediately! Wonderful. I’ve gone all effusive!
Elizabeth says
Heh hee! 😀
Kitty Wood says
oh those cakes are absolutely gorgeous! What a cute way to sneak steam punk into cupcakes. I’m planning my wedding at the moment and looking for cake inspiration so this was fab.
Elizabeth says
Happy wedding planning! The planning is half the fun! 😀
Janice says
What a clever little gadget! You certainly made some beautiful cogs and wheels for your steampunk cupcakes, they look delicious. Congratulations on the wedding anniversary, I remember seeing the wedding pics and still marvel at the paper bouquet, you should post that again!
Elizabeth says
It certainly is! I’ve got loads of ideas now that I’ve started using it properly. Watch this space! Perhaps I’ll redo my bouquet tutorial – I’ve learned so much since then…
Umber Phoenix *My Make Up Life* says
i love love love these! I never thought about jazzing my cupcakes up this way
Elizabeth says
It’s really an effective technique, isn’t it!
christine says
Happy anniversary! Our 10th anniversary is tomorrow (the 14th)! These gorgeous cupcakes look like a great way to celebrate. Enjoy that kid free weekend – I’m envious!
Elizabeth says
Happy anniversary to you too! Go January weddings! 😀
The Nice Nest says
They look great and I love how you made the chocolate cogs to go on top. Nice styling of your photographs too.
Elizabeth says
Thank you 🙂
Rachel says
The more I see these, the more I want them x
Elizabeth says
My work here is done! 😀
Honest Mum says
Wow wee these look amazing! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Elizabeth says
Thanks Vicki, glad you like them, and thanks for hosting such a fab linky!
Sarah - Craft Invaders says
Amazing cakes and photography – love it!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Sarah 🙂
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
Firstly congrats on the wedding anniversary! Secondly how cool are these cakes!!! And that cake stand! I love everything about them 🙂 I’ve always been fascinated by steam punk, plus these cakes sound as delicious as they look. Bravo for adding the bourbon vanilla to the icing!
Elizabeth says
Thanks…. and thanks… and thanks! 😀
Emma White says
they look utterly amazing do you post them out
Elizabeth says
I’m not sure they’d make it intact off the island! 😀
Working mum Blog says
Congrats on your wedding anniversary! Those cupcakes look amazing. Well done!
Elizabeth says
Thank you! 😀
Laura says
These look gorgeous, you are so talented!
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Laura!
Heidi Roberts says
Those cupcakes look wonderful, love the idea of the chocolate shapes too.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Heidi 🙂
Food Glorious Food says
Wow, your cupcake looks so pretty and the flavours sound amazing x
Elizabeth says
Thanks 🙂 I was really glad how well they turned out. The family were certainly impressed!
Debi @ Life Currents says
These are so beautiful! And they sound delicious. I love the story and that your husband dressed up for this! This is awesome!
Elizabeth says
Yea, he comes in handy sometimes 😀 Blog backdrop extraordinaire!
Emma T says
Wow, these look brilliant. And your husband does look perfect for the steam punk role!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Emma, and he really does, doesn’t he!
Zoë IKIWN says
Oh wow, the cakes look absolutely divine and the chocolate clockwork details seem so delicately made. Simply wonderful! Your photography is great too! x
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Zoe! 😀
Nayna Kanabar says
The cupcakes look really lovely.Happy anniversary. I love the leuke piping gadget I have one but I am waiting to use it still.
Elizabeth says
You should definitely get playing with it! So many possibilities! 😀
mellissa williams says
What amazing cakes! I want to eat them all, now! I will bookmark this recipe to make them for my son’s birthday/
Elizabeth says
Thanks Mellissa – let me know what you think if you do make them!
Kacie says
Wow! These look simply amazing. Well done, this must’ve took some patience.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kacie – I’m not the most patient person in the world (which is why there are only three cogs on each cupcake – I started to lose the will to live making them!)
MsPrettyLThings says
These cakes look amazing you are soo creative. I would start making these and then end up eating them all!
Elizabeth says
I did very well and ended up only having 1/3 of an uniced cupcake a few days later. Very tempting though!
Zoe L says
These look so so tasty.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Zoe – my family assure me they were!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
Your husband and your cupcakes both look amazing!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Justine! 🙂
Dom says
these are just brilliant. I love the templates… what a fab idea! Happy Anniversary… oh and your husband is HAWT!!!!
Elizabeth says
Haha! Thanks Dom, yea he’s ok to look at 😉
Ana De- Jesus says
I love the Steampunk era so this is perfect both aesthetically and contextually. I like that you included a model to showcase your beautiful cupcakes!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Ana 🙂 I don’t take many photos with people in them, so this is a rare thing indeed!
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
Oh my, they’re fantastic! So effective! love how you’ve styled the – well everything about it really. Happy anniversary.
Angela x
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Angela! 🙂
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
What a fantastic idea and a very happy anniversary to you. I hope you get to enjoy your night without the kidsand I am sure they most love these steampunk cupcakes. The decorataions are ace!
Elizabeth says
Thank you Laura, we did enjoy our night out. A rare treat for us!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Your husband played his part well – the photos are fabulous.
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Patty! He did well, didn’t he – he rather enjoyed himself too!
Rachel | Beauty and the Bird says
These look absolutely delicious! I wish I made cupcakes this good-looking!
Rachel | Beauty and the Bird
Elizabeth says
I’m sure you could if you gave it a try. The decomat makes things a lot easier. 🙂
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
Those look amazing, fantastic!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Florian!
Codie says
These sound incredible! Not sure my hands are steady enough to do the cogs but I am tempted to give it a go. Love the style of steampunk weddings. Happy Anniversary!
Elizabeth says
It was really easy to do, and I don’t have the steadiest hand either. Thanks for stopping by!
Tori Gabriel says
These are brilliant and so creative. What an awesome theme! Did they taste as good as they looked?
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Tori! 🙂 My family assure me they tasted fantastic. I had a nibble of an uniced one a few days later which was rather scrummy!
Life as Mum says
Oh wow. These look and sound beautiful. I saw a photo on your Instagram. x
Elizabeth says
Thanks, and thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Oh wow these sound delicious and I love your chocolatey decorations! Your husband does scrub up well 😀
Elizabeth says
Thanks Becca – and he sure does, doesn’t he! 😀
Johanna GGG says
Happy wedding anniversary and congratulations on your brilliant cupcakes. I am not great at chocolate but that kit looks really useful and your creativity is admirable. I was admiring your cake stand and wishing for more in my life when I read you are now a collector – I wish I had room to be – would you consider making some – I have seen ones on craft blogs where little glasses and vases are hot glued to lovely plates – again I wish I had room for such things. Enjoy your anniversary child free time
Elizabeth says
Thank you Johanna! 🙂 I don’t have much room to be collecting cake stands either – might have to clear out some other stuff….! Love the glasses/vases/plates idea!
Helen @ Family-Friends-Food.com says
Those are just fab! Love your steampunk wedding. (I still regret being talked out of having a Doctor Who theme for ours…)
Elizabeth says
A Dr. Who wedding would have been fantastic!!! 😀
Tanya Brannan says
Fabulous post! I adore those cogs, so very clever and the silicone may sounds brilliant! You husband looks cool too!
Secretplussizegoddess
Elizabeth says
Thanks Tanya, glad you like it! 😀
Lucy Parissi says
These look so good Elisabeth! I love the chocolate decorations – brilliant idea. Enjoy your anniversary and child-free night – it sounds heavenly. Your husband is a really good sport to appear on the blog – I think I would have to pay mine to do that.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Lucy! 🙂 We had a fantastic night out. A rare treat for us!
Alison says
Brilliant, I love the decoration, The cakes look amazing
Elizabeth says
Thanks Alison! 🙂
Stella Kashmoney says
WOW. The cakes looks too good to eat. Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Stella! 🙂
Sarah says
Happy wedding anniversary for the weekend! Hope you have a good one. dark choc and bourbon vanilla cupcakes sound delish!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Sarah! We had a fantastic time, thank you!
Charlotte says
Those cupcakes look amazing! I love the idea of the mat! x
Elizabeth says
Thanks Charlotte! The mat is really handy – so many possibilities!
kellie@foodtoglow says
Just gorgeous, Elizabeth. Stunning actually. I had to smile about your chocolate cooling remarks. I wouldn’t have even had to set them outside – I don’t treat myself to heat during the day! Enjoy your anniversary overnighter. I can imagine how precious that time will be 😉 And yes, your hubs scrubs up very well
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kellie! Heat is my one luxury. I don’t like a cold house!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says
Those cakes are so beautiful (and I bet delicious too). You’re so clever with the decorations, I know mine wouldn’t look anything like that! I must admit I didn’t know what steam punk was but I clicked through to your wedding post to find out! #tastytuesdays
Elizabeth says
I bet you’d surprise yourself if you gave it a go! 🙂 Glad you liked my post and photos!
Rachel says
Oh my, those cakes look just amazing, I now want cake x
Elizabeth says
Thanks Rachel – I want cake too!! 😀
Katie Bryson says
What a fab post and loving the steam punk vibe!!! Your husband looks magnificent in his wedding gear! Good luck wth the health kick too. I’m winning on the exercise and no alcohol front, I’m eating healthier food but just too much of it
Elizabeth says
Thanks Katie – he does scrub up well doesn’t he! 🙂 It’s not easy trying to be healthy, not when so many lovely cakes are crying out to be made!
Ceri @Natural Kitchen Adventures says
Literally had no idea what a steampunk was until now! These cupcakes look cute, and great to be able t celebrate something that means something to you with them. Yum!
Elizabeth says
Glad to have taught you something new! 😀
Mrs M says
They look fantastic. I’d love to be as creative but there’s no way my hand is steady enough for that!
Elizabeth says
I bet you’d surprise yourself if you gave it a go! 😀
Fiona @ London-Unattached says
LOL elizabeth – is the model your other half? Great cakes – sending this on to my sis in law who will love the idea
Elizabeth says
Yes, yes he is! He does scrub up well, doesn’t he! 😀
The London Mum says
You must have some serious will power to not try those cupcakes! They look delicious, and I love the idea that you recreated a memory from your wedding for your anniversary 🙂 x
Elizabeth says
I did cave a few days later and had 1/3 of an uniced one. Still scrummy! 😀
Monica Shaw says
Every single word of this recipe ticks all the boxes. Bravo!
Elizabeth says
Aw thanks Monica! 😀
Esmeralda says
That is very clever!! Also love your pictures, very creative. Those cupcakes look delicious, thank you for sharing the recipe and others too, I have a party at the WE – might become handy 😉
Elizabeth says
Aw thank you! I don’t usually have people in my photos, so this was a new thing for me.
Rhian Westbury says
What beautiful cakes and such a nice way to involve the kids. I don’t think I’d have a steady enough hand to draw over those templates though. Have a great child free night away 🙂 x
Elizabeth says
Thanks Rhian 🙂 I bet you’d surprise yourself if you had a go! Chocolate is quite forgiving 😀