Fantasy Veggie Dinner Guest - ELSIE WRIGHT

What a lovely idea! We all want to believe in fairies. My Mum and I even added a 'secret door' to a tree stump in the garden once.

In 1917, Elsie Wright, along with her cousin Frances Griffiths, produced a series of pictures which seemed to prove that these little creatures really did exist. Even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was convinced. 

So, these are for Elsie:

FAIRY CAKES WITH JAM AND BUTTER CREAM

For the buns

125g butter, softened

125g caster sugar

1tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

150g plain flour

½ tsp baking powder

For the topping

About 6tbsp strawberry jam

100g butter, softened
200g icing sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
1tbsp milk

Sugar strands

Line a 12 hole cake tray with paper cases.

Cream the butter in a bowl until soft. (Use an electric mixer, if you  like, as I did, to make it easier.)

Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the flour and baking powder.

Spoon into the cases.

Cook for 8-10 minutes at 190°C/ 375°F/ Gas 5 for about 10 minutes until springy and golden.

Allow to cool for a while, then place on a rack to finish cooling, the cut the tops off each bun. (You can enjoy eating them).

Spread the jam over each bun.

Make the buttercream by combining the softened butter with the icing sugar, then mixing in the vanilla extract and loosening with the milk. 

Place on top of the jam.

Decorate with the sugar strands.