Flower With Butterflies Recipes

Steps:

• For the marshmallow fondant: combine the marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Pour about three-quarters of the sifted confectioners' sugar into the marshmallows and stir to combine. Once the mixture becomes too stiff to stir, grease your counter and hands with shortening (or wear greased latex gloves) and dump the mixture onto the counter. Knead, adding more confectioners' sugar a little at a time, until the fondant is very smooth, not sticky and holds its shape in a ball without relaxing. Use right away or grease it lightly with additional shortening, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several days. (Let return to room temperature before using.)
• For the flowers and butterflies: Divide the fondant into 3 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, made an indentation in the top with your thumb and drop in food coloring (start with about 4 drops). Grease your hands and counter with shortening (or wear greased latex gloves). Knead the dough until the color is even, adding more food coloring if you want it darker. Wrap in plastic while you repeat with the remaining pieces of dough and different colors.
• To make a rose, pinch off a walnut-size ball of the fondant color of your choice. Very lightly dust your work surface with confectioners' sugar (just enough so it doesn't stick; you don't want the fondant to look dusty). Roll the fondant to a scant 1/8-inch thickness. Use a small round cutter (about 1 1/4 inch) and punch out 10 to 12 rounds. Roll the first round around itself to create the inside of the rose. Continue to roll the pieces around each other, starting one petal halfway after the previous. Press the bottom together and peel the petals back slightly to open the rose.
• To make a daisy, pinch off a walnut-size ball of the fondant color of your choice. Very lightly dust your work surface with confectioners' sugar (just enough so it doesn't stick; you don't want the fondant to look dusty). Roll to a scant 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 6-petal flower cutter (any size between 2 and 2 1/2 inches) to cut out as many flowers as you can. Use a toothpick to press a line down the center of each petal. For each flower, roll some fondant in a contrasting color into a ball slightly smaller than the center of the flower. Press to flatten slightly and poke the top all over lightly with a toothpick . Brush the bottom lightly with water and stick it in the center of the flower. Lay the flowers inside an egg carton to dry so the petals stand up, 2 to 3 hours.
• To make a butterfly, pinch off a walnut-sized ball of the fondant color of your choice. Very lightly dust your work surface with confectioners' sugar (just enough so it doesn't stick; you don't want the fondant to look dusty). Roll the fondant to a scant 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 6-petal flower cutter (any size between 2 and 2 1/2 inches) to cut out a few daisy shapes. Cut and remove the top and bottom petal with a paring knife, leaving a V-shaped notch; the 4 remaining petals should look like a butterfly's wings. Pinch off 4 tiny pieces of fondant in a different color and roll into balls. Flatten to make spots for the butterfly's wings and attach to the wings, using a little water to adhere. Pinch off a small piece of fondant in a third color and roll into a snake about 2 inches long. Snip the top third in half lengthwise with scissors and pull apart to make antennae. Attach to the body with a little water. Lay a piece of parchment over a rolling pin and lay the butterfly on it, face-down, to dry, about 4 hours and up to overnight.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a cupcake tin with 10 cases. To make the sponge, tip the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder and milk into a large mixing bowl and beat with either a hand whisk or electric mixer until smooth, pale and combined. Divide the batter between the cases and bake for 15 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle of a cake comes out clean. Leave on a wire rack to cool.
• While the cakes are cooling, make the buttercream by beating together the icing sugar, butter and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Mix in the extra milk if the icing feels too stiff.
• Once the cakes are cool, use a sharp knife to slice off the tops, then cut the tops in half. Pipe or spread the buttercream on top of the cakes, then gently push two semi-circular halves into the buttercream on each cake, doing this at an angle to look like butterfly wings. You can serve the cupcakes at this stage, or decorate them with a little blob of jam in the centre and a scattering of sprinkles, if you like.