Mary’s Cupcakes

Posted On May 8, 2020

Treat Day For Everyone

To listen to this episode of our Birmingham based food podcast with Mary & Shane from Mary’s Cupcakes. Press play on the player above, alternatively you can listen on your favourite podcast app, just select from the list on this LINK

Mary's Cupcakes On Breaking Bread Podcast

Hello & welcome to Breaking Bread, In this episode, Liam talks to baker, entrepreneur, full-time mommy of four & creator of Mary’s Cupcakes, Mary Stevens. They talk about how Mary’s cupcakes were created, running a successful business with four young children, and about Mary’s brilliant Instagram.

Who Are Mary’s Cupcakes?

Mary’s Cupcakes was created by Mary Stevens, from a love of baking and a desire to make excellent quality, indulgent and fun brownies and chocolate creations which bring a treat day for the whole family.

Today Mary’s cupcake is a family affair. As well as his full-time job Mary’s husband Shane helps out answering emails, messages and doing deliveries. Mary’s mom Christine, plays a number of vital roles in the operation. Christine and Mary’s four children are in charge of quality control & taste testing, a dream job I would say.

Mary's Cupcakes Unicorn Brownies — **Unicorn Brownie**

Where Can I Buy Mary’s Cupcakes Treats?

In normal times Mary can be found at markets in Sutton Coldfield & Redditch, (Check Their Instagram For More) where she has built a loyal following. Mary is famous for her selection of treats being varied & original, her creations born out of her childlike enthusiasm for making the ultimate treat. Like the easter egg smash, a Cadbury’s creme egg wrapped in brownie covered in marshmallow and packed inside a large Cadbury’s easter egg, bound to force a smile and encourage your inner child’s desire to just smash it open.

Mary's Cupcakes biscoff brownie — **Biscoff Brownie Half Egg**

As well as the markets, Mary’s cupcakes have a brand new website. The website has an online store where you can buy boxes of treats to be delivered to your door. You can even make it a regular occasion by subscribing.

Treat Day For The NHS

It all started with an order from one of Mary’s loyal customers for some brownies which were to be gifted to some NHS employees. When Mary heard about this gesture she loved it. The idea of these hard-working heroes taking a break and treating themselves to a cuppa and a treat got her thinking. What if, with the help of my loyal customers and followers I could donate boxes of brownies to hospitals all over the Midlands?

Mary set up a donations page on her website so that people can donate cash which Mary turns in to boxes of brownies and delivers treat day to NHS workers. So far nearly £700 has been donated that’s nearly 30 boxes delivered to these amazing people who are doing such a brilliant job. You can donate HERE

Mary's cupcakes delivering Treats to NHS

Family Baking

A huge part of Mary’s success is the family element. If you follow Mary’s Cupcakes on Instagram you will often find Mary & her trusted team of taste testers experimenting in the kitchen.

Baking can be a fun & educational exercise for children, so Mary has very kindly given us their favourite recipe to do as a family for you to try at home.

Gingerbread man

125g softened butter (or dairy free butter I like vitalite)
60g dark brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
70g honey
1 egg
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
300g plain flour (or whole meal white flour)

        1.      Mix butter, sugar & honey together with a spoon
        2.      Add egg and mix together
        3.      Add all the dry ingredients and mix with your hands.
        4.      Chill for 10 – 15 mins in the fridge
        5.      Once chilled roll out, cut and place on a baking try.
        6.      Bake for 8-9mins 180c
        7.      Let them cool
        8.      Decorate with icing, sprinkles, raisins, chocolate chips whatever you like.

NOTES

        •       Kids who like to get messy will love this. kids who struggle with textures this will help them to experience the dry to wet texture and learn by combining wet & dry will produce a dough.
        •       I try to get my older children to read the recipe and measure the quantities. The younger 2 will measure the tsp ingredients.
        •       Sometimes we throw more flour on the work while we wait for the dough to chill and write letters, numbers, shapes, words etc
        •       If it’s been a bad day and parents you know what I mean. I sometimes I make the dough myself and just get the kids to roll the dough and cut them out 😀