Description

These Vanilla Butterfly Fairy Cakes are a timeless British treat made with soft, fluffy sponge, filled with sweet jam and cream, and topped with delicate “butterfly wings” made from the cake tops. Perfect for tea parties, birthdays, or nostalgic baking sessions, they’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re baking with kids or creating an elegant afternoon tea spread, these little cakes are a delightful addition.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cakes:

150g unsalted butter, softened
150g caster sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
150g self-raising flour
1 tbsp milk

For the Decoration:

200g whipped cream or buttercream
2 tbsp strawberry or raspberry jam
Icing sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Preheat the oven:
Preheat to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with paper cases.
Make the batter:
Beat butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, with a spoonful of flour to prevent curdling. Stir in vanilla, then fold in remaining flour. Add milk to loosen the batter.
Bake:
Divide batter evenly between cases (fill halfway). Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden and springy. Cool in tin briefly, then transfer to wire rack.
Create “wings”:
Once cool, cut a shallow cone from the top of each cake. Slice the cone in half to make two wing-shaped pieces.
Fill and decorate:
Add a small spoonful of jam and a dollop of whipped cream or buttercream into the hole. Press the two cake halves into the cream at an angle to create butterfly wings.
Finish:
Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve.

Notes

Storage: Best eaten the same day due to the cream. Store in the fridge if needed, and bring to room temp before serving.
Buttercream holds up better if preparing in advance.
Use any jam you like—raspberry and strawberry are classics, but lemon curd or apricot work too.
For a fun twist: Add a drop of food colouring to the sponge or decorate with sprinkles.
Great for kids: Let them help decorate and place the wings!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes