Her Majesty the Queen of England treated the world to a special gift on her birthday in April. In celebration of her 94th trip around the sun, the royal pastry chefs shared her birthday cupcake recipe. Taking to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, the Royal Family wished Queen Elizabeth a happy birthday on April 21st. The three styles of cupcakes were beautifully piped in buttercream icing with delicate decorations fit for a queen.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>???Happy birthday to Her Majesty! To celebrate The Queen's birthday we are sharing a chocolate cupcake recipe from The Royal Pastry Chefs. <br><br>Remember to share your creations with us <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/royalbakes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#royalbakes</a> <a href=”https://t.co/Qqje7Cju63″>pic.twitter.com/Qqje7Cju63</a></p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1252590777458458625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Queen Of Chocolate
Daren McGrady, a former royal pastry chef, revealed: “She is absolutely a chocoholic. Anything we put on the menu that had chocolate on, she would choose.” Then it is no surprise her birthday cupcakes are chocolate flavored.
McGrady worked between Buckingham and Kensington Palaces for 15 years. Being very acquainted with the Queen’s taste, he shared, “If we had a new recipe, she’d have to look at the whole recipe before saying, ‘Yes ok let’s try it’.”
On Your Mark, Get Set, BAKE!
Bakers across the world were eager to try a Queen-approved cupcake recipe. They were encouraged to share their efforts using #royalbakes on social media.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Loved making these double chocolate cupcakes with recipe courtesy of <a href=”https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@RoyalFamily</a> they taste amazing! Cakes fit for a queen (or should I say, THE Queen!) <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/royalbakes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#royalbakes</a> ? <a href=”https://t.co/oeg1KbF5lA”>pic.twitter.com/oeg1KbF5lA</a></p>— Lucy (@thequietofnight) <a href=”https://twitter.com/thequietofnight/status/1254776745883865092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>April 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Another Twitter user,
@tomokomclaren of Canada, took the recipe a step further with a gluten and dairy-free version.

Photo Courtesy: [tomokomclaren/Twitter]
If the Queen’s cupcakes are a hit in your home, be sure to check out other #royalbakes recipes like these Garden Party Scones.
Queen Elizabeth’s Chocolate Birthday Cupcakes
Ingredients, Cake sponges – (serves approximately 15)
15g (1 tbsp.) vinegar
300ml (10 oz.+ 1 tsp.) milk
50ml (3-1/3 tbsp.) vegetable oil
60g (4-1/4 tbsp.) butter (melted and cool)
2 eggs
5ml (1 tsp.) of vanilla essence
250g (2 c.) of self-rising flour
75g (3/4 c.) of cocoa powder
300g (1-1/2 c.) caster sugar
10g (2 tsp.) bicarbonate of soda/baking soda
100g (1/2 c.) white chocolate chips
cupcake cases (liners)
Ingredients, Buttercream Topping:
90g (1/2 c.) of high percentage dark chocolate
100g (7 tbsp.) butter
125g (1 c.) icing (powdered/confectioners) sugar
Option to use Royal icing instead of buttercream:
Royal icing available pre-made in shops.
Add food coloring to create different colors.
Cake sponge method:
– Preheat the oven to 150° C (300° F)
– Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl
– Whisk the eggs in a separate jug, with the vanilla essence, melted butter, oil, milk, and vinegar
– Slowly add the wet mixture into the dry mixture, little by little
– Ensure the batter is smooth with no lumps
– Finally add the chocolate chips (alternatives could be nuts, dried fruit)
– Lay the cupcake cases onto a tray
– Use a metal spoon to equally divide the mixture into the cases
– Bake for around 15-18 minutes, take out of the oven when golden and springy upon touch
– Leave to cool
Buttercream icing method:
– Cream the sugar and butter together, until light and creamy
– Add in the warm melted chocolate
– If you have a piping bag to hand, pipe the icing on the top of cakes for decoration (otherwise gently use a teaspoon or small spatula to ice)
Royal icing method:
– If decorating with royal icing, roll the icing out and cut into circular disks
– Lay the disk over the cupcake and mold to the required shape