Birthday cupcakes
Method
Step 1:
Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan, gas 4). Line a cup cake tin with 12 paper cupcake cases
Step 2:
Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs a little at a time until smooth, adding a little flour if the mixture curdles.
Step 3:
Stir in the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and vanilla extract until smooth. Place heaped dessertspoon full in each cupcake case and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and just firm to the touch.
Step 4:
Leave in the tins for 5 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool.
Step 5:
For the buttercream, beat together the butter, icing sugar, vanilla extract and food colouring and then pipe on to the cupcake. Top with a special birthday candle.
