Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

November 11: Remembrance Day/ Jour du Souvenir (Canada)

Canada, Highlander’s birthplace, and other Commonwealth countries observe Remembrance Day/ Jour du Souvenir on November 11, the same day the U.S.A. honors its war veterans and military personnel. Remembrance Day is their version of America’s Memorial Day. The Remembrance Day symbol is a poppy flower, as mentioned in John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Field”. The lieutenant colonel from Canada was moved to write it for a friend’s funeral during World War I.

For a Remembrance Day prayer gathering, we were inspired to use the iconic flower for a delicious dessert—lemon poppy seed cupcakes topped with fondant poppies. It was an appropriate tasty treat to remember the brave ones who sacrificed their lives to protect their countries. God bless their souls!

Recipe

For the fondant poppy flowers

• Powdered sugar (for dusting the work surface)
• Red fondant
• Black tube frosting
• Poppy seeds

Directions

On a surface that has been dusted with powdered sugar, roll out red fondant to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out poppies using a 5-petal flower cutter. Use the impression/veining tool and press to give texture on each petal. Place the cut fondant poppy on a foam pad and lightly press down the center with the ball tool.

Place fondant poppies on flower formers and let dry for about 3 hours or overnight. Dot the centers of each poppy with black icing. Sprinkle poppy seeds on the middle, brushing away the excess from the center. Set aside to dry.

For the cupcakes and frosting

• Lemon buttermilk poppy seed cake
• Lemon buttercream icing

Directions

Prepare the batter for the lemon buttermilk poppy seed cake. Scoop into red cupcake papers. Bake and cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the lemon buttercream icing (do not tint it yellow). Frost the cupcakes (we used Wilton tip 1M to make the swirls).

Position a fondant poppy seed flower on the top center. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

• Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served and are serving in the military, including Islander’s Daddy (retired U.S. Navy chief). Thank you!