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Thursday 17th June is Cupcake Day, a fundraising event set up by the Alzheimer's Society. This day is all about making and selling cupcakes in order to raise money for those affected with dementia. This is a great way to help fight against this disease - even a small donation will make a big difference.

But before we talk about what you can do to help raise money for the Alzheimer's Society - let's talk about what this disease is;

What is Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Dementia is a general term for losing the ability to remember, think and other types of brain activity. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder associated with an ongoing decline of brain function. The disease affects numerous mental abilities such as memory, problems with speech, difficulty with performing simple tasks and increasingly getting confused etc. With symptoms getting worse in later stages. There is no current cure for Alzheimer's disease but there is plenty of support available to help people suffering with Alzheimer's and their families cope.

There are many opportunities for you to help raise money for those suffering with Alzheimer's disease. One great way to get involved is on June 17th, Alzheimer's Society - Cupcake Day. This day you can host a cupcake event, making and selling them to raise money for Alzheimer's society. Aiding them with research; bringing the fight to Alzheimer's disease and dementia as a whole.

You can sign up for a fundraising pack HERE on the official Alzheimer's society website.

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To help you get started with your cupcake making, here is a simple recipe from Sophie Godwin (BBC goodfood):

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.Ingredients

110g softened butter

110g golden caster sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

110g self-raising flour

Buttercream

150g softened butter

300g icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp milk

Food colouring paste of your choice (optional)

Decorations of your choice to finish

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Method

1) Heat Oven to 180C/ 160C fan/ gas 4 and fill 12 cupcake trays with cases.

2) Using an electric whisk, beat 110g softened butter and 110g golden caster sugar together until pale and fluffy then whisk in 2 large eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bow after each addition.

3) Add 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 110g self-raising and a pinch of salt, whisk until just combined then spoon the mixture into the cupcakes.

4) Bake for 15mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Leave it to cool completely on a wire rack.

5) To make the buttercream, whisk 150g softened butter until soft then add 300g icing sugar, 1tsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

6) Whisk together until smooth (start off slowly to avoid an icing sugar cloud) the beat in 3 tbsp milk.

7) Stir in the food colouring then spoon or pipe onto the cooled cupcakes. 

We look forward to see what type of cupcakes you make. Do not worry if you cannot host a cupcake day on the 17th. Feel free to hold it later on when restrictions are lifted.

For more information on the Alzheimer's Society and what they do please click the link HERE.