These little cakes were very popular in the 1950s and got their name from the cup used to measure out the ingredients by volume rather than weight. Like the French quatre-quarts, cupcakes are made from butter, sugar, flour and eggs. The ingredients are measured by the cup i.e. one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour and four eggs. This explains why they are also called '1234’ cakes. They're also known as fairy cakes due to their diminutive size and the fact that one cupcake is just about the right amount for a fairy (one not on a diet, that is!). In the past, these cakes were baked in earthenware teacups. Today, we use metal or silicon moulds and line them with decorative paper cases before baking. Personalise your cupcakes and let your imagination loose!

Make each one a custom creation, just as you would when decorating a room.