Iron Cupcake: London second challenge – summer fruits

Those of you who pay attention to my ramblings might recall how thrilled I was that the first Iron Cupcake: London had ten entries. Imagine my excitement when, a mere month later, the second challenge had twenty entries! Twenty! What was also very pleasing was the huge increase in the number of eaters....if you deliver awesome cupcakes, they will come!

There were so many entries it was tough to fit them all into one photo:


Iron Cupcake: London (ICL) held its second challenge on Monday 6 July 2009 with a theme of ‘summer fruits’. We tweaked the voting this time so everyone attending could cast votes for their favourite three cupcakes. I’m pleased to say that tasting and voting was taken very seriously as you can see from these photos:

This gathering of dedicated eaters couldn’t look more studious! It’s people like these that make cupcake competitions great...


Here is our worthy winner, Amanda, receiving the first prize. Her entry of apple and blackberry cupcakes were voted the winner on the night. And before any killjoys out there say blackberries aren’t a summer fruit...with the crazy hot weather and rain we’ve been having this year there are plenty of blackberries ripe for the picking right now!


Here’s our runner up, Nicola, looking thrilled:


These lovely ladies are our podium placed entrants – Amanda in first, Nicola second, and Alice third. Well done ladies; you have not only done yourselves proud but also the world of cupcakes!


So, sit back, loosen your waistband, have a hanky ready to mop up any drool and see what you missed out on........
NB. If you don't feel hungry by the time you have looked at all the entries, check your pulse - you might be dead.

Entries

Karen’s Foolish strawberry (and marshmallow) cupcakes


Emma’s summer fruit cupcakes


Isabel’s blackberry and raspberry ripple cupcakes


Amal’s summer passion cupcakes


Three things to note here – firstly, Amal has only just started baking so we can all claim we ate his cupcakes from the start!, secondly, he is our first male entrant (come on chaps – some of you must bake, surely?), thirdly, he conceded that passion fruit isn’t a UK summer fruit but it is in New Zealand, which is where Amal is from. I always have an attentive ear for someone persuading me to eat their cupcakes!

Amanda’s peach and raspberry cupcakes

Amanda’s apple and blackberry cupcakes

The winner on the night!
Anna’s peach melba cupcakes


Kathryn’s almond and white chocolate cupcakes with blackcurrant frosting


Amy’s Wimbledon surprise (strawberry) cupcakes


These came with the 'bonus' of Cliff Richard in case it rained. Thankfully, he didn't sing!


Randi’s lemon cupcakes with strawberry meringue buttercream frosting


Kathy’s “Federer’s Cup” cupcakes - strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, mint and meringue


Me Ling’s strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake cupcakes


Hester’s chocolate and raspberry cupcakes with chocolate and crème de framboise buttercream


Hester’s Linzertorte (almond, cinnamon and raspberry) cupcakes


Kayla’s chocolate cupcakes with raspberry and white chocolate icing


Kelly’s lemonade cupcakes with mixed berry frosting


Helen’s strawberry and balsamic vinegar cupcakes


Anna’s blackcurrant cheesecake cupcakes


Alice’s peach melba with custard buttercream


These came third on the night. If I’m allowed to have a favourite I’d pick these, and not just because Alice used my custard buttercream recipe!

Nicola’s raspberry, blueberry, ricotta and almond cupcakes with vanilla cream topping

These placed second on the night, a single point behind the winning cupcake. It was that close!

So, I'm sure you can tell from the photos that the standard of entries was simply stunning. There was artistry, humour and super baking prowess on display.

Special thanks to The Cupcake Courier for providing our wonderful main prize.

Finally, I’d like to thank my trusted team of helpers, without whom this event would not happen. I view us as the Four Musketeers of cupcakes so thank you Jasmin, Paul and Dave.

Hopefully, now you’ve seen what you could have eaten, you’ll all be coming along to the next event – details of which will be announced shortly.

I leave you with the victors – well done ladies!

All these wonderful photos are the property of Dave Shipman and reproduced here with his kind permission....but then he's that kind of guy!