Rooibos Chai & Vanilla Cupcakes
Recipe by Georgia East from the Fortunate Ones Blog
The tradition of taking afternoon tea with a selection of sweet and savoury snacks is one that has its roots in English custom. These light, airy cupcakes combine high tea luxuriousness with the proudly South African flavour of rooibos. Delicately infused with Carmien Tea’s Creamy Vanilla and Focus Chai & Rooibos teas, the cupcakes are faintly herbal, wonderfully fragrant and a delicious accompaniment to a quiet moment in patch of afternoon sun.
You will need:
The contents of one bag of Carmien Creamy Vanilla and half a bag of Focus Chai & Rooibos teas (keep the rest of the Chai tea bag for the icing)
5ml vanilla extract
125ml softened butter
250ml sugar
1 egg
500ml cake flour
5ml baking powder
2ml salt
200ml full cream milk
Cream the butter with the sugar until pale. Add in the egg and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the cake flour and baking powder, adding in the salt and the tea grounds. Mix to combine and gradually add into the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and mixing constantly until the dry and wet elements are combined.
Spoon the mixture into two muffin trays that have been greased with butter or lined with paper cups and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 28 to 35 minutes. Transfer on to a wire rack to cool before icing. Makes 12 cupcakes.
For the icing:
250ml butter
250ml icing sugar
5ml vanilla extract
The other half of the Focus Chai & Rooibos tea bag
Sift the icing sugar into the slightly softened butter then add the vanilla and the tea. Use an electric beater to combine the ingredients until smooth and pale. Ice the cupcakes with a spatula once they have completely cooled.
Serve with a calming cup of Carmien’s Creamy Vanilla
Where: Bergendal Farm, Paleisheuwel Road, Citrusdal
Contact: +27 (0)22 921 8900
Find Carmien Tea at www.carmientea.co.za or on social media at @CarmienTea
Read more about the Carmien Tea Tasting Experience here.
Farm Tours
Rooibos Fields, Factory Visit, Tea Tasting and Video Screening R80 per person during the Harvest Season (January – April) or R50 per person for the rest of the year. Mondays – Fridays at Bergendal Carmién Tea. (Tours dependant on availability and weather)
Pairing at Hebron
Tea, wine and flavour pairing R50 per person at Hebron (Wednesday – Sundays) situated on the Piekenierskloof Pass on the N7
Tea, wine and 3 small course meal pairing R150 per person at Hebron (Wednesdays – Sundays) situated on the Piekenierskloof Pass on the N7
All options must be pre-booked:
Carmién Tea: [email protected]
Hebron Tasting Room: [email protected] | [email protected]
Where to find Carmien Tea at the Gateway of the Cederberg:
Take the N7 out of Cape Town and explore the lush heights of this fertile part of the Cape West Coast before stopping in at Carmien Tea for either a tour of the working farm, a tea, food and wine pairing or the chance to create your very own tea! The Bergendal-Carmien Rooibos farm is part of West Coast Way’s beautiful Berg Route and so is a must-see stop along this richly diverse trail that also includes the luxury Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, the ancient San caves and rock art in Elands Bay and the authentic weskus fishing town of Velddrif.
“Predominantly a literary soul, Georgia East is also a self-confessed foodie fiend. Obsessed with buying old forks and able to eat her own weight in dim sum, she spends most of her time as a freelance writer, food stylist and photographer. Starting her blog Fortunate Ones a year ago has led to various tasty experiences which include recipe creation, set design for her food imagery and a newly-discovered passion for taking as many photographs as humanly possible on her Nikon. After spending most of her childhood swimming in the Berg river and avoiding bokkoms, Georgia has retained her love for the Cape West Coast while rediscovering the traditional flavours endemic to the coastline.”
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.Take the road less travelled in the West Coast Way
For more information on West Coast Way Routes and the list of 101+ Things To See And Do in the Cape West Coast, visit our eventspage. Choose to go on a self-guided adventure drive by following the routes, or book an air-conditioned trip to top West Coast attractions in South Africa.