TODAY’S RECIPE: Vanilla cupcakes

TEATIME treats are simple to bake. MAKES: 12.

Ingredients

110g butter, softened 110g golden caster sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 110g self-raising flour 1-2 tbsp milk, plus a little extra for the icing FOR THE ICING: 125g butter, softened 185g icing sugar

Method

1. Heat oven to 180c/160c fan/gas 4. Line 12 holes in a shallow muffin tin with cupcake cases (not muffin cases). Cream butter and sugar together until mixture is light and fluffy. Beat eggs and vanilla in a jug, then beat into butter mixture a little at a time.

2. Fold in flour along with a little milk — the mixture should fall easily off a spoon. Fill each cupcake case no more than half full. 3. Cook cakes for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool. 4. For the icing, beat butter until very soft. Beat in icing sugar a little at a time. Add a splash of milk, as you need, to make a soft icing that can be piped easily. Use an icing bag with a star nozzle. Ice the cakes in swirls, starting in the centre and working outwards.