It is commonly suggested, as a
traditional treat, to make "spiced flower cupcakes" for
Ostara,
vernal equinox, or
spring celebrations. One of the best things you can do is collect some
edible flowers of
springtime and turn them into
candied flowers, using them to top your
spiced cupcakes. Or you can simply make this recipe as is, and ice them with
thin white icing (or any other choice) and maybe decorate with candies like
jellybeans or candy eggs, arranged in the shape of
flowers. It is very easy to color and flavor
the suggested icing with extracts and food coloring, so why not make a
rainbow of these lovely confections, possibly served with
Ostara pineapple punch? Guaranteed to dazzle at any spring gathering!
Ingredients:
Directions:
Cream shortening and then slowly add the two sugars, beating well (if using an electric mixer, use medium). Add the eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves, then add that mixture to the cream mix alternately with the cup of buttermilk (starting and ending with the flour mix). Stir in the vanilla last. Grease pans--either 2 9-inch cake pans or cupcake tins--cover with wax paper and grease wax paper. Pour batter in and bake at 350ºF for 30-35 minutes (if baking cakes) or 20 minutes (if baking cupcakes). Cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove and let cool on wire rack. Spread on frosting when cool.
Note: I am allergic to cinnamon, so I omitted the cinnamon in this recipe and used instead one rounded teaspoon of ground cloves. I encourge you to try omitting one spice and using a rounded teaspoon of the other if there are allergies or preferences.
If you'd like to see a photo of my decorating job, please try this link:
http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/spmuf1.jpg
I used four flavored homemade icings: Cherry for red, maple for blue, lemon for yellow, and peppermint for green.
Yield: 1 2-layer cake or 30 cupcakes
Source: Paraphrased from Southern Living
Use for: Ostara
Pagan recipes