Kaleidoscope cupcakes

I have to declare that whilst these little cupcakes are an arresting sight, they actually taste as good as they look. The orange rind and cream cheese make them so soft and they taste like moist orange scented friands. I am one of those people that sticks whole oranges in the freezer in case I ever need rind or juice. It would probably be better if I zested and juiced the oranges first and put them in a zip lock bag I know. Perhaps I'll get around to doing that sometime.

I am very excited as these featured on the Cupcakes Spectacular 2008

as well as Cupcakes Take the Cake's mini round up!

Kaleidoscope Cupcakes

For the cupcake

• 90g butter at room temperature

• 90g softened cream cheese

• 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange rind

• 2/3 cup caster sugar

• 2 eggs at room temperature

• 100g plain flour

• 25g cornflour

Fondant layer

• 1 packet of white fondant (I use Orchid brand)

• 1 egg white

• 1/4 teaspoon orange flavouring essence

Royal Icing decoration

• 1 egg white (30g)

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 150g sifted icing sugar

• Food colouring gels or powders in desired flavours

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 150c fan forced or 170c non fan forced.

Step 2 - Beat all ingredients except for the flours with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale in colour. Add flours and beat until combined. Spoon into patty tins.

Step 3 - Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool in tin.

Step 4 - Make white fondant icing layer (see recipe below) and quickly spread over cakes. Allow to set.

Step 5 - Make royal icing (see recipe below). Divide the icing among 6 small bowls (or however many colours you want to have). Colour each bowl of icing and cover with cling film until ready to use. Get your disposable piping bags ready and fit them with a plain small tip. Pipe patterns directly onto the cupcakes.

Fondant icing

****Place icing in a small microwave proof bowl and heat on 30% heat for 30 seconds, stir and test, then another 30 seconds. It should look soft like marshmallow spread. Stir in egg white and flavouring. Use immediately. Spread fondant quickly over cakes and to smooth the surface use a wide knife dipped in hot water to smooth surface (the knife will need some water on it or it will stick to the fondant)

Royal Icing

Step 1 - Beat egg white with lemon juice until foamy on low speed increasing to medium speed.

Step 2 - Add sifted sugar by the spoonful while beating until desired consistency is reached. If too stiff, add a little warm water.