Love Buns

Our answer

Nigella's Love Buns (from Feast and on the Nigella website) are perfect for Valentine's Day and can be flavoured in different ways. Nigella uses vanilla extract but you could make lemon or orange flavoured Love Buns by adding the finely grated zest of a large lemon or a large orange to the ingredients in the food processor. Use unwaxed fruits or give them a good scrub in hot soapy water and rinse well before using. You can also add a couple of drops of lemon or orange extract for a more intense flavour (but use a good quality extract and not a synthetic "flavouring").

You could also colour the batter with a few drops of food colour - the pastes are better as they tend to be stronger. However you will get a pastel shaded cupcake and the colour tends to change slightly as the cupcakes bake. Don't add too much colouring as it can leave a slightly bitter taste.

You could also try Nigella's Red Velvet Cupcakes (from Kitchen and on the Nigella website) for Valentine's Day and for more menu ideas please look at the Valentine's Day Menu Ideas section on the Nigella website.