Vanilla Cupcakes for the Macmillan coffee morning

These are the cupcakes I made for my children to take in for the Macmillan coffee morning. These were a last minute bake made at eleven 'clock the night before so they are nothing fancy, they are just a plain vanilla cake with a vanilla buttercream icing and they are topped with a minstrel. They are not to be under estimated though they are very tasty.

Vanilla Cupcakes - makes 12
Ingredients
225g unsalted butter
225g caster sugar
1tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, beaten
225g self-raising flour
2-3tbsp milk

1.Preheat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas Mark 4.

2. In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs and the vanilla extract to the mixture and stir well. Sift the self raising flour into the bowl, add the milk and mix until combined and the mixture is light anad fluffy.

3. Spoon the mixture into cupcake cases and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and when touched the sponge bounces back. Leave the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack and make your buttercream.

Vanilla Buttercream
Ingredients
110g unsalted butter
500g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 tbsp milk

12 minstrels to decorate

1. In a large mixing bowl add the butter, vanilla extract and milk, sift in the icing sugar and then mix using an electric hand blender until creamy and smooth - don't be afraid to add more milk if you feel that your mixture is a little too thick.

2. Use a piping bag with your preferred nozzle to pipe the buttercream onto your cooled cupcakes and top with a minstrel.

This post is featured in Food nerd 4 life's virtual bake sale for macmillan .