Strawberry cupcakes and Ahmad Dessert Tea

Strawberry cupcakes combine the quintessential taste of British summer time into a cupcake. Enjoy them with a cup of Ahmad dessert tea to make tea time a pleasure.

When eating strawberries it is easy to drift back to the simple pleasures of British summer time. Warm summer days watching Wimbledon and listening to the thwack of tennis balls hitting the racquet. Sitting in the garden listening to the birds singing and the hum of people mowing their lawns. Strawberries are very much a Summer fruit. They come into season for a short six weeks between early June until mid-August. They herald the start of the British summer.

Plastic polytunnels extend the growing season until mid December. The warm environment inside allows the strawberries to grow when they would wither outside. What nicer way to extend your summer memories into winter than adding strawberries to your diet. Strawberry cupcakes are a lovely way to do this. Vanilla flavouring adds to and enhances the strawberry flavour making these the perfect cake to enjoy with a cuppa.

Strawberry cupcakes

These strawberry cupcakes are really simple to make. You could easily whip up a batch of them within forty minutes. The ingredients are all commonly found in a store cupboard, the only thing you need to get are the strawberries. If fresh strawberries were not available freeze dried ones could be used instead. Making the cupcakes is a simple as whisking all the ingredients together, folding in the strawberries and cooking. The only hard part is smelling them cooking in the oven and wanting to eat them. They are so simple to make they are easy to make with kids.

I was going to make a strawberry velvet cake inspired by Ahmad Dessert tea. I was put off by the fact that most recipes use copious amounts of red food colouring in order to get the red colour. These strawberry cupcakes have plenty of flavour as well as the touch of sweetness perfect for an afternoon tea.

Ahmad Dessert Tea

Ahmad Tea, a British company, has just launched a new collection of dessert teas inspired by sorbets, cakes and soufflés. The teas will add a touch of sweetness to afternoon tea and make a talking point amongst guests. There are six different dessert flavours available. Three are black teas, Strawberry Velvet Cake, Pear & Cinnamon Strudel and Moroccan Orange Slice. The other three are green teas, Citrus & Mint Sorbet, Strawberry & Basil Coulis and Mango & Lychee soufflé.

The teas will add a little sweetness to your day and can be enjoyed with or without milk. If you are looking for a sweet treat without the calories these teas could be just what you need. Perfect for drinking after Christmas when everyone wants to lose a little weight. Ahmad Tea also do a full range of loose leaf pyramids if you prefer normal tea. The dessert teas are available from Ocado and www.ahmadtea.com. RRP £4 per pack.

I tried the strawberry velvet cake which provides a burst of summer strawberries and silky vanilla in a cup. It is the perfect accompaniment to strawberry cupcakes in the afternoon. The Mango & Lychee Soufflé is more exotic. A blend of green tea with mango and lychee adding flavour and a fruity background. Both were delicious and ideal for drinking any time.

Strawberry cupcakes recipe

Strawberry cupcakes

Alison

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Ingredients

  

• 550 g plain flour
• 340 g caster sugar
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 250 g butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 120 ml sour cream
• 260 ml milk
• 200 g chopped strawberries

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 180C, Gas Mark 4
• Sift the flour, baking soda and baking powder into a bowl and add the sugar
• Add the butter, vanilla essence, sour cream and milk.
• Beat until smooth
• Fold in the strawberries
• Add the mixture to cupcake cases
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden

Notes

The cakes can be iced if you wish but they are nice and sweet already

Strawberries are lovely fruit that can be used in many different recipes. Why not try strawberry daiquiri cupcakes for a decadent dessert. For a real taste of summer strawberry shortcakes are perfect.

What is your favourite type of tea to enjoy with a cake? Let me know below.

I was sent some tea to try. My opinions are honest and my own.