- 125g/4½oz butter, softened
- 125g/4½oz caster/superfine sugar
- 1tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Eggs
- 150g/5oz Plain Flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 100g/3½oz butter, softened
- 200g/7oz icing sugar/confectioners sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp milk or water
- A few drops of food coloring (optional)
Alternate Method
- 100g (1/2 cup) of caster sugar
- 100g (4/5 cup) of self raising flour
- 100g (7/8 stick) of unsalted butter or margarine
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 of a teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla essence
- 12g (4 teaspoons) icing sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of water
Steps
- 1Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Line a 12-hole cupcake tin with 12 paper cases.Cream the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating continuously, then sift in the flour (and baking powder if using).
- Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases using a teaspoon.
- Bake in the oven for 8-12 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch.
- Transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool.
- FOR THE ICING:
- Place the butter in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until very soft.
- Add the sifted icing/confectioners sugar and a drop of milk/water until smooth.
- Add your desired food coloring if using, and beat until it is all colored evenly.
- Spread over the cooled cupcakes.
- If you want, add sprinkles or chopped nuts for a festive and delicious look.
- You're done! Enjoy!
Alternate Method
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC, 350ºF, or gas mark 4.
- Measure out all the ingredients.
- Get a clean mixing bowl and put the butter or margarine and sugar into it.
- Mix them together using a wooden spoon or an electric whisk until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well in-between putting each one in.
- Add the vanilla essence.
- Sieve in the flour and add the baking powder.
- Fold the flour and baking powder until the mixture is all one colour.
- Put 12 cupcakes cases into a cupcake baking tray.
- Put the mixture evenly into all 12 cases making sure all the mixture possible is out of the bowl into the cases.
- Using oven gloves put them in the oven.
- After 15 minutes, check if they are ready by checking if they are a light-ish brown colour on top.
- To make the icing, mix the icing sugar with the water.
