Red Berry Cupcakes (butter free - and rather low in sugar too)

Ugh, I'm not gonna lie, I'm struggling to adapt to the dark mornings and dark early evenings. Having to put my bike lights both when I cycle in and out of work is the final confirmation for me that Winter is a-coming.

As for Christmas though, that aint here yet because the Coca Cola lorry hasn't driven through, so that means there's still time to stay in denial and whip up some summery cupcakes.

Bake them and take them out on a picnic, have an afternoon tea party in your garden, anything to distract yourself from the darkness.*

*I accept no responsibility for any colds caused by those silly enough to follow the above suggestion.

Got your apron on? Let's a-go!

These cupcakes are light and fluffy as a cupcake should be – though not overly sweet. I never put in too much sugar into cakes (occasionally attempting to bake sugar-free) but always make sure there is something else there to compensate. Otherwise you'll just end up with a rather bitter cake. Which is just not what you want really, is it?

No, you want shiny red berries! Redcurrants, cranberries, raspberries...nice, bright and summery :-) Pop them in equally red cupcake cases and bounce along with a spring in your step as you hand them out from a handled wicker basket to your bemused friends :-)

Red Berry Cupcakes
(butter free - and rather low in sugar too)

Print-friendly recipe

Makes 12:

150g self raising flour
50g white sugar
100g red berries (eg redcurrants, cranberries, raspberries)
1 egg
100g Greek yogurt
50ml rice bran oil
1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl with the sugar. Fold in the berries.
2. In another bowl, gently beat the egg with the yogurt and oil. Transfer this mixture into the flour bowl and carefully fold in until just mixed.
3. Spoon the mixture into a lined 12-hole cupcake tray. Bake for about 25 minutes until risen and lightly golden.

More Hungry Jenny cakes here.

Other butter free baking recipes that might take your fancy.