Lemon poppyseed cupcakes and a love story
Valentine or Easter cupcakes.. 
I was madly in love. Madly in love with a tough biker guy called Paul. He was blond, tall and handsome and every time I looked into his eyes I sort of felt my butterflies dance. I had met Paul through a mutual girlfriend called Agnes. At the time I was still working as a nurse and had just discovered the joys of going out, disco’s and staying up far far too late. I was a little older then twenty at the time.
For the life of me I cannot remember what Paul did for a living or if he was still a student but I did know that I was head over heels in love with this guy. So when he asked me to go on a tour around the Ijsselmeer I did not hesitate and jumped at the chance. My friend Agnes would join too together with Paul’s friend so that would be a fun event…. or so I thought.
The day was of to a bad start, so maybe that was the beginning of the inevitable end. It was cold, windy and it looked liked it would rain. My hair was long and curly at the time, but what I had not thought about is that I would have to wear a helmet for the entire day. Sitting on the back of a motorbike riding for the entire day, holding on for dear life as the wind threatened to throw us of course. On top of that; they had not exaggerated when they said they would go for a bike ride… I cannot remember that we stopped at all during the entire ride from hell.
But ok, all in the name of love and I was snuggled up close to Paul, feeling all freezing cold but thinking it was for a good cause. By the time we came back home and I finally managed to get of that damned bike I was as stiff as a 50-year old lady (O, I should REALLY not make that comparison at my age!!!) my hair was as flat as a pancake and static too and my back was not happy…
Paul laughed and took me closer in his arms. I snuggled up against him and then he kissed me… A warm, wet and sloppy kiss. Like being kissed by a dog but then worse. Seriously. I almost recoiled… Have you ever had that before? Madly in love, one kiss and the love was over, completely, totally and forever irreversibly over? That was THE worst kiss I ever ever received in my entire life. It was gross and disgusting and I seriously had to keep myself from running away. Maybe the day was never meant to be a good day, with the way it started but to this day I am not sure Paul ever realized what hit him.. lol…
I can’t even remember how we said goodbye. I might have mumbled something and sort of half ran into my house, shutting the door firmly behind me, leaving a somewhat surprised Paul behind. Poor guy… I mean, I couldn’t possibly shatter his self esteem and tell him that he was the world worst kisser, now could I? But since there was no other explanation, I just chickened out and left him to figure it out for himself.
Now how’s that for a romantic Valentine story to warm your hearts on this cold cold winter day?
As for this recipe; what can I say? It’s absolutely delicious and a perfect treat but I have to say that it does look more like Easter cupcakes then Valentine cupcakes. But that’s good! They can be used on multiple occasions! I was also having cupcake photography block.. Too many cupcakes in too short a time… O well it’s the taste that counts! And for a bit more romantic recipe you can check here.
Lemon and poppyseed cupcakes
Yield: 12
Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 175g self-raising flour
- 50g almond flour
- 175g caster sugar
- 2 lemon zest (of two lemons)
- 3 eggs
- 100g natural yogurt
- 175g butter (melted and cooled a little)
- Sprinkled to decorate
Icing
- 225g butter (softened)
- 400g icing sugar (sifted)
- 1 lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
Icing (Optional)
- few drops of yellow food coloring
Directions:
| Heat the oven to 180 C and line a 12 hole muffin tin with cupcake or muffin cases. Mix the flour, sugar, almond flour, lemon zest and poppy seeds together in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs into the yogurt, then tip this into the dry ingredients with the melted butter. Mix together with a wooden spoon or whisk until lump-free, then divide between the cases. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a skewer poked in comes out clean - the cakes will still be quite pale on top. Cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then carefully lift onto a wire rack for finish cooling | |
| To ice, beat the softened butter until really soft in a large bowl, then gradually beat in the icing sugar and lemon juice. Stir in enough food colouring for a pale yellow color. Then spoon the icing into a piping bag with a large star nozzle. | |
| Pipe the cakes and sprinkle with sprinkles of your choice | |
Recipe by BBC Good Food
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Oh Simone, I am laughing hysterically! Poor you, but what a story! This is the best anti-Valentine’s Day post I have ever read. I love it! Oh poor you, but better it end after only one day than longer. And now you have a wonderful Valentine named Tom! And adorable cupcakes. I may just make these today… I have the pretty candy hearts and the romantic cupcake paper cups. Thanks for the inspiration and Happy Valentine’s Day, baby! xo
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:36
Hope you had a great valentine day too Jamie! And those cupcakes are totally delicious!
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LOL, I oved yur sstory! Yes, a sloppy kisses are quite repulsive…
Rhose are cute cupcakes.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cheers,
Rosa
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Rosa — February 14th, 2012 at 09:12
Wow, sorry for the typos and sloppy writing! ;-P
Feeling tired and my keyboard is paying tricks with me (no I’m not drunken, althoug it might seem so LOL)….
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:37
Lol… that’s ok Rosa. I’m sure we all have that from time to time…
Ha ha, I loved your biker story…
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:41
Thanks Miriam… I do hope he never actually gets to read this.. He might recognize the story!
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This is too cute! I loved your sloppy kiss story Simone. There is nothing worse and it is the best ever cure for an infatuation for sure! Happy Valentines Day to you and Tom. I hope you have a lovely evening planned.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 15:33
O yes best cure ever! Happy valentines day to you and the chef too!
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Haha Simone!! You made me laugh out loud real hard. LOL Good thing I was alone at work when I read this!
Love your story! Oh and I almost felt that kiss…
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 15:33
O yuck… you really do not want to feel that kiss Astrid! You deserve better then sloppy kisses…!
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LOL… Couldn’t stop sniggering at your ‘love’ story… Poor Paul
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 15:32
No no, that would be ‘poor me’!
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Hahaha, what a great story. Have you ever met Paul afterwards or was it the last time you ever saw him? Those stories are the best. Terrible at the time being, but so funny to tall afterwards
The cupcakes look perfect. For valentine’s or easter. Who cares
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 15:32
I never saw him again..
That was the last time I saw him! How terrible really when you think about it.. Haha.. And you’re right; who cares!?
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Love your story… I couldn’t stop laughing too
Happy Valentine’s Day … love your cupcakes!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:42
Happy Valentine day Ann!
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This dessert looks great! I would love it if you linked up this recipe to my blog hop for a chance to win a cookbook prize package: http://bit.ly/wJSl1h
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LOL! The kiss that killed love. What a great story. Happy over-the-top cheesy flower and “love cards” day! Hehe
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:43
If you say it like that it actually sounds like the title of a movie.. Not a very long movie though..lol
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What a cute story !! love the cupcae the clicks and the story !! enjoy your Valentine’s day !!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:43
Thanks and Happy Valentine’s day to you too!
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Your story puts a smile on my face.. always so many variables.. absolutely wonderful when they do finally manage to line up! Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:47
Happy Valentines day Gerlinde and so how does it ever go right, you would almost wonder…;)
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A great story, and having been on the back of a motorcyle with a cute guy no less, I was lucky my guy was a great kisser!
Nice story twist for Valentines and pretty, pretty cupcakes.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:54
O lucky you for having a great kisser!! Lol.. Imagine what would have happened if my motorguy HAD been a great kisser… I guess we will never know!
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Adorable story, and delicious cupcakes!!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:55
Thanks Valerie!
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haha, that is a great story! Actually, I HAVE had that happen to me, and it makes you wonder — what did I see in this person! Lol! Love the cupcakes – I adore lemon anything! Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 14th, 2012 at 23:56
Isn’t it amazing how one bad bad kiss can transform your opinion of a person in just under a second? I’d never even thought that could happen, but it did!
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Heehee what a funny story! After you suffered all day on that cold, wet bike! There’s some kind of lesson there even if I’m not sure what it is. Your cupcakes are a sight for sore eyes. Beauties!
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Lovely post! And look how cute and scrumptious these cupcakes look.
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Oh Simone! Thanks for a good laugh.
I never had that kind of experience as I married the guy I met when I was 18, only after a fling for someone when I was 15 and that did not go any place. LOL The cupcakes are just too beautiful!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 16th, 2012 at 10:20
O lol… yes, well I met Tom when I was 29 so I had all those years before to ehm… make some pretty mistakes..lol..
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You do know how to tell a story- And tempt the appetite! Those cupcakes are so bright and cheerful, I don’t think anyone in their right mind would be able to resist a bite.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 16th, 2012 at 10:19
Thanks Hannah… Yeah, these are some pretty good cupcakes!
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That’s a great Valentine’s Day story! Funny how the worst experiences always make for the best stories
I always love lemon cupcakes. Will have to try your recipe this spring!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 16th, 2012 at 10:19
Thanks Kristen. If you do make them let me know how you liked them. I love the taste !
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LOL! You cheered me up with this tale! Hysterical! Love the cupcakes too! beautiful as always!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 16th, 2012 at 10:17
Thanks so much Peter..
Just thinking back about that story made me smile too!
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Your blog is so fantastic!!
I really like your blog, you´re recipes are great!
I invite you to visit my blog, I have a google traslator, so you can read me
I´m your new follower, if you want we can follow each other.
xoxoxo from Spain
http://janakitchen.blogspot.com
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Great story! So funny. I laughed so hard.
)))))))))))))))))))
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 17th, 2012 at 17:03
Thanks Nurit..;)
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Where did you get those cupcake cases, they look adorable!
The cupcakes look great too!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 17th, 2012 at 17:00
I found them in a little store somewhere. To be honest I can’t remember!
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Oh wow!! Great job on your cupcake!! i like the colour combination!! Very pretty!! Also great work on your photography! Love it love it love it!!!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 17th, 2012 at 17:01
Thanks so much Sammie!
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I needed a good laugh today and then I came here… a huge thank you Simone!! Such a funny story!! And I love your easter-valentine cupcakes too
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Bwhahahahah – that’s brilliant!! The things we do for luuuurrrve…! But like Meatloaf said “I would do anything for love but I won’t do THAT!” Urrrrrgh, sloppy kisses. But what I REALLY want to see is you with long curly hair!!
)
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Your love story sounds so familiar to one that I had in high school, although it was just “like a lot” and not love. But I thought he was so cool and edgy and tough, and then he was such a bad kisser I couldn’t take it! Nobody wants to be slobbered on… Haha! I’m actually glad to have stumbled upon your story so that now I know I’m not the only one who had to suffer through kissing that bad.
Oh, and these cupcakes look amazingly delicious. I love poppy seed, although i prefer almond poppy seed over lemon. Maybe I could alter the recipe a little. Do you know if transferring the recipe from metric to American measurements is difficult?
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Simone (junglefrog) — April 9th, 2012 at 18:12
he Katie! Haha, I’m glad that I’m not the only one with an experience like that but I’m sure there are plenty of other people out there too. I’m sure you could alter the recipe easily. In terms of transferring the units from metric to American; there are a lot of difference converters out there and I always use the one on my Iphone when transferring from American to metric.. Let me know if you need help!
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