CLOUD SUGAR COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and line 2 large baking sheets with baking paper, then grease well with butter or oil.
• In a large bowl and using electric beaters, whisk the egg whites together until stiff peaks form. You should be able to carefully turn the bowl upside down without it falling out.
• In another bowl, put the egg yolks, cream cheese and cream of tartar then whisk together (no need to wash the beaters first) until smooth, pale and frothy. Next, fold the egg whites, a spoonful at a time into the yolk mixture, be as gentle as you can with this so you don’t knock out too much of the air and finally fold in the nigella seeds and season with salt and pepper.
• Carefully dollop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, if the mixture is a little runny when you get to the bottom of the bowl don’t use the last few spoonfuls – only use the really fluffy mix on the top. Bake for 20 mins or until lightly golden and craggy on top. Allow to cool for a few moments before carefully removing from the paper with a palette knife.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and fill a 12 cupcake tray with cases.
• Using an electric whisk beat 110g softened butter and 110g golden caster sugar together until pale and fluffy then whisk in 2 large eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• Add ½ tsp vanilla extract, 110g self-raising flour and a pinch of salt, whisk until just combined then spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases.
• Bake for 15 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.
• To make the buttercream, whisk 150g softened butter until super soft then add 300g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
• Whisk together until smooth (start off slowly to avoid an icing sugar cloud) then beat in 3 tbsp milk.
• If wanting to colour, stir in the food colouring now. Spoon or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes.