Strawberry Milkshake Cupcakes

Red-velvet bases and pretty milky toppings will be a hit.

Makes 15

✱ 150g (5oz) unsalted butter

✱ 300g (10oz) golden caster sugar

✱ 1tsp vanilla extract

✱ 3 large eggs, separated

✱ 284ml (9½fl oz) carton buttermilk

✱ 2tbsp bright red gel food colour

✱ 1tsp violet gel food colour

✱ 250g (9oz) plain flour

✱ 30g (1oz) cornflour

✱ 2tbsp cocoa

✱ 1tsp white wine vinegar

✱ 1tsp bicarbonate of soda

FOR THE MILKSHAKE FROSTING:

✱ 125g (4oz) unsalted butter

✱ 225g (8oz) icing sugar, sieved

✱ 4tbsp instant strawberry milkshake

✱ 1 drop pink food colouring paste

✱ 280g (9½oz) packs full-fat cream cheese

You will need:

✱ 1 unicorn and rainbow cupcake kit and 2 muffin trays

(NB There are only 13 cupcake cases and 12 toppers in a pack, so you’ll need a couple of extra cases)

1 Heat the oven to 180°c or Gas Mark 4. Pop the cupcake cases into muffin trays.

2 cream together the butter and sugar, beating until pale and fluffy. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and the egg yolks.

3 Pour the buttermilk into a jug and stir in the red and violet food colouring. (you need plenty for a strong beetroot colour.)

4 sift together the flour, cornflour and cocoa. Fold in half the dry ingredients and half the buttermilk. Mix until just combined. repeat with the rest of the flour etc and buttermilk.

5 whisk the egg whites until stiffly peaking. Mix the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together. Gradually fold into the cake mixture with the egg whites. Use an ice-cream scoop to evenly divide mixture between the cupcake cases. bake for 30 mins, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. cool in tins for 10 mins, then turn the cakes on to cooling racks to cool completely.

6 Put the butter in a processor and blend to soften. add the icing sugar, milkshake powder and pink colouring paste. blend until smoothly combined.

7 add the cream cheese and just mix for 5-10 seconds (don’t keep the motor running longer than necessary).

8 spread the milkshake frosting over each cupcake. Pop in the toppers to decorate.