Lemon & cardamon cupcakes difficulty ** #32

Makes 12

Preparing time: 25 minutes

Cooking time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cardamom pods
• finely grated rind of 2 lemons 
• 150 g caster sugar 
• 150 g slightly salted butter 
• 2 eggs 
• 175 g self-raising flour 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• chopped lemon jellies to decorate 

For the icing

• 175 g icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 
• yellow food colouring (optional)

1. Crush the cardamom pods using a pestle and mortar or a small bowl and the end of a rolling pin 
2. Discard the husks and crush the seeds as finely as possible 
3. Reserve 1/4 teaspoon of the crushed seeds for the decoration and put the remaining seeds in a food processor with lemon rind and sugar
4. Process lightly until the sugar is almost powdered 
5. Add the butter, eggs, flour and lemon juice 
6. Blend until soft and creamy, scraping the mixture down from the side of the bowl 
7. Divide the mixture evenly between paper cupcake vases arranged in a 12-hole cupcake tray 
8. Bake in a preheated oven, 180 C (350 F),Gas Mark 4, for 20-25 minutes until just firm to the touch 
9. Transfer to a wire rack to cool 
10. Make the icing 
11. Beat together the icing sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until combined 
12. Add a dash of yellow food colouring, if using, and a few drops of water or extra lemon juice to make a smooth, spreadable icing 
13. Spread over the cupcakes, then decorate with chopped lemon jellies and sprinkles with the reserved cardamom.
14. Enjoy! ;-)