What is the British summer without a glass (or two) or Pimm’s?! And what better way to enjoy it than in these Pimm’s Cupcakes?
Pimm’s means Summer!
Here in Britain we aren’t lucky when it comes to weather. Our ‘summer’ usually consists of a few days where it stops raining and it gets a bit warmer. Having said that some years we haven’t even managed to get that, or so it feels.
So for us Brits, when the sun does come out, we make the most of it with some Pimm’s! I have just Googled to see how to describe Pimm’s for those of you that haven’t heard of it – it is a gin based liqueur with subtle tastes of spices and citrus; so there you go!
Should you use Real Pimm’s or imitation Pimm’s for these Pimm’s cupcakes?
I love Pimm’s, but I also love a bargain! While I was at uni, my friend Zoe and I discovered Aldi’s version – Austin’s. At more than half the price of Pimm’s and just as tasty (if not more so); it has been my drink of choice ever since.
I am all for paying more for quality ingredients, but I don’t like buying things just for the name, especially when a substitute is nicer!
You may ask why have I still called these Pimm’s Cupcakes and not Austin’s Cupcakes? Well I already thought that enough people outside of Britain might not know what Pimm’s was without complicating the situation further and naming them after a supermarket own version!
Decorate just before serving
Part of the charm of these cupcakes are the cute Pimm’s accompaniment decoration. Adding these to the Pimm’s Cupcakes really finishes them off.
I wouldn’t recommend doing this in advanced. The juice from the fruit would seep out into the buttercream which would deter from their pretty appearance.
How boozy do you like it?
These Pimm’s Cupcakes have Pimm’s in both the cake and the buttercream. I have made the buttercream with two and three tablespoons of Pimm’s. I prefer to use two as the flavour is more subtle.
However if you love a boozy hit, add an extra tablespoon. Just bear in mind the extra Pimm’s will loosen the buttercream slightly.
If you like boozy bakes, check out my Gin & Lime Drizzle Cake.
Time for an update
This recipe was first published on my blog back in 2014. Back then blogging was a lot different and things have definitely moved on!
When it came to updating this blog post, I decided the actual recipe needed updating as well as the photographs. So now you will hopefully find not only much better photos, but a better recipe too!
Other recipes you might like
- Honey Rum Drizzle Cake
- Passion Fruit Cake with Fresh Cream
- Vanilla Cupcakes with Strawberry & Whipped Cream
- Strawberries & Fresh Cream Cake
Pin for later
Pimm’s Cupcakes
What is the British summer without a glass (or two) or Pimm’s?! And what better way to enjoy it than in these Pimm’s Cupcakes?
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 175 g margarine
- 175 g caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 175 g self-raising flour
- 3 tbsp Pimm’s
For the buttercream
- 140 g unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 280g icing sugar
- 2 tbsp Pimm’s
To decorate
- 6 strawberries
- 1 orange
- 12 mint leaves
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 160ºC (fan assisted, 180ºC non fan) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners
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Beat the butter and sugar together for roughly 5 minutes until light and fluffy
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Add the eggs and mix again
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Add the flour and mix until it is combined before adding in the Pimm’s
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Spoon into 12 cupcake cases filling each 2/3 full
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Bake in the oven for 16-18 minutes. Check they are cooked by piercing them with a cocktail stick, if the stick comes out clean they are cooked
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Leave on a wire rack to cool completely
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Once the cakes have cooled completely, make the buttercream. Start by beating the softened butter for a minute or two
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Add in the icing sugar and beat until mixed. Add the Pimm’s and mix until smooth
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Spoon the buttercream into a piping bag and pipe onto the cupcakes. Finish with classic Pimm’s decorations
Recipe Notes
This will make 12 cupcakes using large muffin liners. If you want to use smaller cupcake cases this will make 18 cupcakes. Check the cupcakes after 15 minutes of baking if you use smaller cases.
Decorate just before serving. The juice in the fruit is likely to seep into the buttercream if left a while.
If you want even more Pimm’s flavour in the buttercream, add another tablespoon of Pimm’s.
Nutritional information is given as a guide only.
Lou | Crumbs & Corkscrews says
Ooo these look fabulous and each cupcake is perfectly identical, love them! I love an Aldi bargain and their Pimms alternative is spot on. I’m more of a boozy buttercream person… hehe!
Anna | Serving Dumplings says
I never tried Pimm’s before, don’t think it’s available here in stores. But would love to taste it, especially in buttercream
Curly says
I’ve not checked but I can imagine it being a drink that is just available in the UK which is a shame!
Angela Roberts says
First thing I’d do is lick all that icing off. So cute and here’s wishing you some sunny days!
Curly says
Haha. Thank you! We need all the help we can get here in the UK!
Jane Saunders says
Lovely new photos Cat. They sound divine and great for the err… lovely? summer we are having – we might have to eat them under our umbrellas, but who cares when treats like this are on offer.
Curly says
Thanks 🙂 Haha well ignoring today the weather looks pretty good for the next 10 days or so! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Donna says
ooo sounds yummy and they look so cute!
Curly says
Thanks 🙂
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
It doesn’t get more Summery than these cupcakes Cat! They sound delicious and look so so pretty too! Picture perfect! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the Summer this year. It’s been a slow starter but hey, we might be surprised! Thank you for sharing these lovelies with #BakingCrumbs 🙂
Curly says
Thank you very much Jo. I’m hoping the lovely weather we had on Saturday isn’t our whole summer!
Vicki Montague says
I love the idea of pimms cupcakes! Inspired 🙂
Curly says
Thank you 🙂
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I love Pimms and these look so summery!
Curly says
Thanks 🙂
Jenny Walters says
Wow!!!!! These are absolutely stunning. I just adore them and would be great at any summer party. So lovely to have cup cakes for the grown ups for a change. Fantastic photos too. Thank you so much for sharing them with us at #BakingCrumbs.
Curly says
Thank you so much Jenny 🙂
Choclette says
How absolutely adorable. Love a glass of Pimms in the summer and now I feel as though the season won’t be complete until I’ve had some Pimms cupcakes too.
Curly says
Haha enjoy a glass of Pimm’s with a Pimm’s cupcake!
Sisley White says
These are heaven! They are so cute and bet they taste incredible too.
Curly says
Thank you 🙂
JMJ says
quintessentially British and a recipe of pure genius – I made these for an afternoon tea party and they went down a storm, everyone asked for the recipe (which I gladly responded to with a link to this page). these will now be a reoccurring item at all summer gatherings. also a great tip on the homebred versions of Pimms too, cost effective with the same great results WinnerWinner
Curly says
Thank you so much! You can’t go wrong with Pimm’s in the summer. Oh definitely, I love a bargain – especially if it tastes the same/better than the branded version!