I got this book on Cupcakes from my local library, and simply had to try one of the recipes. I baked the ones below following the basic recipe and they are delicious.
Basic cupcake recipe
115 g butter, at room temperature
115 g caster sugar
2 eggs
115 g self-raising flour
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, grated zest of 1 lemon or 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional)
a 12-hole muffin tin
Preheat oven to 180ºC (Gas 4). Line muffin tin with paper cases.
Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time.
Sift over the flour, then fold by hand. Stir in the milk and flavouring if desired.
Spoon the mixture into each paper acse and bake until risen and golden.
Transfer the cakes to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before decorating.
