Pear crumble cupcakes for Macmillan

Tomorrow is The World's Greatest Coffee Morning for Macmillan cancer support raising money for the amazing work they do for cancer patients all across the country.

Little E's nursery are holding a cake sale in aid of the charity. Great excuse to try out an experiment I have been planning; Crumble cupcakes.

Pear crumble cupcakes

(Makes 24)

3 cups self raising flour

1 3/4 cups caster sugar

1 1/4 cups semi skimmed milk

3/4 cup unsalted butter

2 eggs

6 ripe pears

2tsp vanilla

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

For the crumble

100g plain flour

50g unsalted butter

25g granulated sugar

25g demerera sugar

Heat oven to 170 degrees

Slice the pears thinly lengthways.

Soften in a pan with 1tbsp sugar, 1tsp vanilla and 2tbsp water until very soft.

Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile make the crumble topping by rubbing together with your fingers the butter and flour until fine breadcrumbs are formed.

Stir in the granulated and demerera sugar and set aside.

Now for the sponges. Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl and set aside.

In a separate bowl cream together the butter and sugar.

Add the eggs and remaining vanilla.

Beat well.

Slowly add the sifted flour mixture and milk alternating a cup at a time. Beating well after each addition.

Beat for 2minutes.

Divide the mixture between 24 cupcake cases.

Top with the soft pears pushing them slightly into the cake mixture.

Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the top.

Bake for approx 20minutes.

When removed from the oven cool on a wire rack.

This was a complete experiment, making up the recipe as I went along and I was very pleased with the results. The sponge underneath remained very light and fluffy with the soft pears and crunchy crumble on top. I will definitely be repeating with different fruit combinations.

Find out more about The World's Greatest Coffee Morning and the work of Macmillan including how to donate here

Linking up with #recipeoftheweek with amummytoo.co.uk #tastytuesday with honestmum.com