United Cakedom: Oatly Espresso Cupcakes

I attended Food Blogger Connect so that I could learn more about the online foodie world I have gotten myself into! I wouldn't be anywhere else I love it here!

I do love books though; sometimes I wonder if I had put a bit more time into my book blog I would be somewhere else right now?

There isn't enough time for what-ifs and I figured I might start combining my love for food and books anyway (see my side bar for what I’m reading now)!

I’m just getting off topic this post is about Oatly… wait I haven’t gotten there yet.

At Food Blogger Connect I learned a lot and I ate a lot! In-between all the learning we had snack breaks and one of the brands there was Oatly - they were serving these amazing Coffee Shakes and delicious cinnamon rolls.

The coffee shakes were so good I kept going back for more! Oatly has a subtle oat flavor that I found refreshing and delicious; even better when paired with espresso.

Oatly is a nutritious alternative to milk. It is full of oaty goodness and made of natural ingredients no crazy additives here.

On the second day of FBC14 I started chatting with the ladies who were at the table and when I said I was a baker and would be interested in using Oatly in my baking they loaded me up with some of the product to try!

I couldn't get the Coffee Shake out of my head and so I decided to make espresso cupcakes. They turned out beautifully and had a very subtly nutty taste that just added to the flavor. One of these cupcakes could easily replace my morning cup of coffee!

Oatly Espresso Cupcakes

20g instant espresso powder

240ml oat drink

80g margarine

280g sugar

240g plain flour

1 tbsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

2 large eggs

Heat the oven to 190C. Line the muffin pan(s) with liners; this recipe makes more then 12.

Weigh out the espresso powder in a small saucepan then add the oat drink. Gently heat the mixture until the powder dissolves. Take off the heat.

Beat the margarine, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until it looks like breadcrumbs.

Add the eggs to the slightly cooled espresso oat drink and gently whisk. Combine about 1/3 of the espresso/egg mixture with the dry ingredients and beat on a low speed. Increase the speed to medium while gradually adding the rest of the milk until the batter is smooth. Using an ice cream scoop fill the liners with batter (about ¾ full) and bake for 18-20 minutes or until it springs back when gently prodded and if a skewer comes out clean. While they are cooling on a rack make the frosting.

frosting

50ml creamy oat

16g instant espresso powder

250g icing sugar

80g margarine

Like the cupcakes weigh out the espresso powder in a small saucepan before adding the cream and heat just long enough to dissolve the espresso powder without boiling it, like I did the first time because one of my children were bleeding from a small cut after stepping on a rock. It smells burnt if you boil it and then you have to start again. Once it’s done right set it aside to cool

Beat the icing sugar and margarine together to look like breadcrumbs, and then gradually add the espresso cream to taste. Once it’s to your liking increase the speed and beat until lighter in color and spread-able.

to finish

Optional toppings- chocolate covered coffee beans or chocolate sprinkles

Using a pallet knife scoop some frosting on top of the cooled cupcake and spread evenly and then top with chosen topping.

I still have some Chocolate Oatly and an alternative to single cream left to use up so who knows what I’ll make next? I mean really I haven’t thought of anything to use it for so it’ll be just as a surprise for me as it is for you!

If you’re looking for Oatly it’s found in Waitrose, big Sainsbury’s and Tesco, or Holland & Barrett. The full range of products can be found online. I really want to try the Chai Oat Drink. I love chai as much as I love espresso.

notes: If you want to see what I learned at FBC14 check my post here! If you follow me on Twitter you’ll have seen my love for books in my tweets for #bookadayuk or #fridayreads I love to talk books so tweet me if you’re reading a good one! If you are interested to learn more about Oatly visit their website they are nice people. I was given the product to try, but I was not asked to post about it. Please see my contact/policy page for further information. The recipe is adapted from hummingbird bakery Cake Days.