Kidston - Cath Kidston mug cakes, cupcakes and more 50 recipes for quick and easy sweet treats

CONTENTS For those times when only a sweet treat will hit the spot, a delicious homemade cake must surely be top of everyones wishlist. Whether youre baking for a coffee morning with friends, a post-lunch pick-me-up, an indulgent breakfast, a special afternoon tea or a family celebration, theres nothing more tempting than the smell of freshly baked cake. For those occasions when only a sweet treat will do but time is at a premium, our mug cake recipes are the perfect solution. Next time you have a cake craving, grab your favourite mug, mix your ingredients and pop it in the microwave. It really is as simple as that! Unexpected visitors will be surprised and delighted when you offer them a freshly baked mug cake with their tea or coffee. And best of all, there's hardly any washing up! Cupcakes are the perfect party cakes, especially if you choose colourful cupcake cases and display them on your best crockery.

You'll find recipes for familiar favourites such as carrot, ginger and raspberry Bakewell cakes, as well as more unusual flavours like pistachio and pomegranate, toffee apple and lavender to try out. For all the chocoholics out there, we have a chapter dedicated to all bakes chocolate, with easy recipes for brownies, mini cheesecakes, pavlovas and macaroons, plus new twists on chocolate classics like Black Forest gteau and millionaires shortbread. No childrens party would be complete without a special cake, so weve included some fun recipes for larger bakes a train cake complete with engine, carriages and railway tracks, a bejewelled butterfly cake and an impressive-looking (but still easy to make) white chocolate rainbow cake with six colourful layers. These take a little more time, but are definitely worth the extra effort! And if youd prefer smaller cakes for your little ones, we have lots of playful cupcake ideas that kids will love, from Snakes and Ladders party cupcakes to irresistible ice cream cupcakes complete with chocolate flakes and sprinkles. We know that not everyone has time to spend hours baking and decorating (we certainly dont!), so weve made sure that all our recipes are clear and straightforward. Theyre aimed at the novice baker and youll find plenty of tips and suggestions throughout.

Let our pretty, modern vintage range of bakeware, china and fabrics inspire your presentation, decoration and choice of mug; serve your bakes piled high and gather your guests round for a proper celebration. MUG CAKES What could be simpler than making a cake in a mug? If it sounds too good to be true, give it a try! Quick, easy and convenient, all of our recipes can be made from scratch in only a few minutes. Start the day with a warming banana, oat and honey breakfast mug cake or go for an indulgent chocolate marshmallow mug cake for one. These super-speedy cakes are perfect for last-minute visitors, satisfying a sudden craving for something sweet and for days when you are short on time and only cake will do! Your microwave isn't just for heating leftovers and meals for one put it to good use and find out why mug cakes have become so popular. Most of the recipes are designed to be served straight from the mug, meaning minimal washing up and a new lease of life for your favourite mug!

RHUBARB CRUMBLE AND CUSTARD MUG CAKE SERVES 1 For the topping 2 tsp rolled oats 2 tsp unsalted butter 3 tsp plain (all-purpose) flour 2 tsp caster (superfine) sugar For the rhubarb 1 tsp unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 100g (1 cup) rhubarb, chopped into 2cm (in) pieces 1 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar 1 tsp juice and finely grated zest of clementine For the cake 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened 1 medium free-range egg 1 tbsp milk tsp vanilla extract 3 tbsp golden caster (superfine) sugar 4 tbsp self-raising flour warm custard, to serve Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4. Start by making the topping.

Rub together all the topping ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture forms little clumps. Tip the crumble onto a small, shallow baking tray and bake for 45 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Keep an eye on it though, and make sure you shake the tray occasionally to ensure the crumble cooks evenly. Set aside. Lightly grease a 350ml (12fl oz) mug and set aside. Place the butter, rhubarb, sugar and clementine juice and zest into a separate mug and cook for 2 minutes 20 seconds at 600W, 2 minutes at 800W or 1 minute 40 seconds at 1000W (or until tender).

Drain the excess liquid and tip into the greased mug. Reserve a spoonful of rhubarb to spoon on top of the cooked cake before serving. Wash out the mug the rhubarb was cooked in. To make the cake, add the butter to the cleaned mug and microwave for 1020 seconds, or until melted. Add the egg, milk and vanilla extract and beat with a fork until combined. Add the sugar and flour and beat together.

Pour the cake mixture over the rhubarb. Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes 20 seconds at 600W, 2 minutes at 800W or 1 minute 40 seconds at 1000W. Place the reserved spoonful of rhubarb on top of the cake. Scatter over the crumble topping and serve hot with warm custard. VARIATION To keep rhubarb fresh, store the stalks in the fridge with the leaves intact. This will prevent it from wilting and help it to stay fresh for longer.

BANANA, OAT AND HONEY BREAKFAST MUG CAKE

SERVES 1 1 small/medium (about 100g/3oz) ripe banana 1 tbsp sunflower or light olive oil 1 medium egg 1 tbsp milk 2 tbsp runny honey, plus extra to serve 2 tbsp muscovado sugar 3 tbsp self-raising flour pinch ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve 1 tbsp rolled oats 1 tbsp sultanas (golden raisins) natural Greek yoghurt, to serve Mash three-quarters of the banana (reserve the rest for later) and tip it into a 350ml (12fl oz) mug. Add the oil, egg, milk and honey, and mix together with a fork. Stir in the sugar, flour, cinnamon, oats and sultanas, mixing together well. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes 20 seconds at 600W, 3 minutes at 800W or 2 minutes 40 seconds at 1000W. Remove the mug from the microwave and leave to cool for a few minutes before topping with a dollop of yoghurt, a few slices of the reserved banana, a drizzle of honey and a dusting of cinnamon to serve. CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW MUG CAKE SERVES 1 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 40g ( cup) good-quality dark (bitter-sweet) chocolate (70 per cent cocoa solids), chopped 1 medium egg 1 tbsp milk 2 tbsp light muscovado sugar 3 tbsp self-raising flour 1 tbsp mini marshmallows 20g ( cup) milk and white chocolate drops 3 large marshmallows Lightly grease a 350ml (12fl oz) mug and set aside.