Hallowe’en Cupcakes

Course: sweet treat Skill level: easy Serves: 12

125 g (4½ oz) margarine, softened 125 g (4½ oz) caster sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Extract

175 g (6 oz) self-raising flour

For the Icing:

75 g (3 oz) unsalted butter, softened

150 g (5 oz) icing sugar, extra for dusting

1 tsp Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Extract

For the Decoration:

Dr. Oetker Neon Orange Gel Food Colour

Dr. Oetker Lime Green Gel Food Colour

Dr. Oetker Ultra Violet Gel Food Colour

115 g (4 oz) Dr. Oetker Ready Rolled Regal-ice White Icing

40 g (1½ oz) liquorice

1 Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg. C.,

350 deg. F., Gas Mark 4. Put 12 muffin cases into cupcake or muffin tins.

2 Put the margarine in a bowl with the caster sugar, eggs and Vanilla Extract. Sift the flour on top. Using an electric whisk, gently mix the ingredients together until well blended.

3 Divide the mixture equally among the muffin cases. Smooth the tops and bake for about 20 minutes until risen and lightly golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4 To make the icing, put the butter in a bowl and beat until smooth. Gradually sieve and mix in the icing sugar to make a smooth, creamy icing. Stir in the Vanilla Extract.

5 Divide the icing into 3 equal portions and colour each with ½ teaspoon of a different Colour Gel and mix well.

6 Spoon the icing into 3 uncut small piping bags or small, clean, sturdy plastic food bags. Snip a tiny corner from the bags. Working on one colour at a time, pipe thin strands of icing, in short lines, back and forth, working your way round the top of the cake, from the centre to the edge. Continue piping strands on top, in layers, to build up a “hairy” look.

7 When all the cakes are iced, knead the Regal Ice to soften it and then form into various sized eye shapes and teeth – use a little icing sugar to stop the icing sticking. Cut up small pieces of liquorice and push into the eye balls, and use some for open mouths, nostrils and eye brows. Arrange all the pieces on top of the cakes to make monster faces.