Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 75g butter, cut into large pieces
• 175g self-raising flour
• 175g caster sugar
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the icing

• 175g butter, cut into large pieces
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 350g icing sugar, sifted

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake or muffin cases.

2. Put all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk or a wooden spoon until smooth and evenly mixed. Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases.

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen and firm on top. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

4. Make the icing: put the butter, vanilla extract, two tablespoons of the milk, and half the icing sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining icing sugar, and pour in the rest of the milk if needed to make the icing the right consistency.