Vanilla Cupcakes

This weekend we have family visiting, including two 7 year old boys. I wanted to make sure id bake something that I know they will like... vanilla cupcakes obviously! and decorated with sweets. What kid doesn't like sweets?

(Lets hope they arnt really fussy, otherwise im just going to have to eat them all - what a shame that would be ;)

Anyway, these are nothing snazzy just a plain vanilla cupcake with vanilla buttercream, simple but delicious.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes (makes 6 large) -

• 110g unsalted butter
• 110g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 110g self raising flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

For the buttercream-

• 100g unsalted butter
• 200g icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or you could use vanilla extract)

Preheat your oven to 180c and line 6 muffin tray holes with cases.

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each, and add the vanilla with the last.

Sieve in the flour and baking powder and gently fold in with a metal spoon.

Divide the batter between the cases and bake for 18-20 minutes.

Once baked leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.

To make the butter cream, in a medium bowl beat the butter with an electric whisk until it turns light in colour (this makes the best buttercream.)

Slowly add in the icing sugar by the tablespoon and add the vanilla extract. Mix well.

Spread onto each (cooled) cupcake and decorate with any sweets you like, I chose jelly tots!