National Cupcake Week 2011

Usually September is the worst month of the year, where all people can think about is how summer is over, kids are back at school and dreading the winter weather. But not anymore thanks to British Baker magazine who 3 years ago introduced us to probably the best week of the year - National Cupcake Week (12-18th September 2011). This gives cupcake lovers like me a really good excuse to bake cupcakes in the masses!

The week long madness features promotion of cupcakes in bakeries and stores across Britain, special series of programs on the Food Network and special events. However this year National Cupcake Week has exploded, with over 3,000 followers on Twitter and over 2,000 fans on Facebook, everyone is talking about National Cupcake Week this year. Listen out for news about National Cupcake Week on radio stations such as Heart FM and Radio 2.

Even Fortnum and Mason have got involved, they are hosting a series of tastings and demonstrations which are free, Wednesday: Sophie Harrison of Delicious Cupcakes demonstrates flower cupcake piping, Thursday: More demonstrations from our favorite bakers and on Friday: even more tastings! And throughout the week special cupcake teas are being served in the Gallery Restaurant.

But it's not all about the cupcakes, National Cupcake Week is also raising money for CLIC Sargent, which supports children with cancer. Simmons is donating 20p of the sales of 4 types of cupcakes from all 31 bakeries.

This week support National Cupcake Week by baking cupcakes, talking about cupcakes or even stuffing your face with them to support a good cause and get the word out. Even I'm doing my small part, if you 'Follow' me on Twitter today then you might be the lucky winner of a free batch of cupcakes!

Click here to go to the National Cupcake Week website to swap recipe ideas and read Ms Cupcake's blog about setting up your own cupcake business.

Rubbish picture (off my Iphone) but my first batch of cupcakes for National Cupcake Week.