Vanilla cupcakes

*     110g butter, softened

*    110g golden caster sugar

*    2 eggs

*    1 tsp vanilla extract

*    110g self-raising flour

*    1-2 tbsp milk, plus a little extra for the icing
For the icing

*    125g butter

*    Butter, softened

*    185g icing sugar

Method

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line 12 holes in a shallow muffin tin with cupcake cases (not muffin cases). Cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat the eggs and vanilla in a jug, then beat into the butter mixture a little at a time.

2. Fold the flour into the mixture along with a little milk - the mixture should fall easily off a spoon. Divide the mixture between the cases, filling each one no more than half full.

3. Cook the cakes for 12-15 mins - they should be firm to the touch and slightly golden brown. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then lift them out gently and leave to cool completely.

4. To make the icing, beat the butter until it is very soft. Beat in the icing sugar a little at a time, then beat in a splash of the milk as you need to give you a soft icing that can be piped easily. Scrape the icing into an icing bag fitted with a star nozzle. Ice the cakes in swirls, starting in the centre and working outwards.