BUTTERCREAM CAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a cupcake tin with 10 cases. To make the sponge, tip the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder and milk into a large mixing bowl and beat with either a hand whisk or electric mixer until smooth, pale and combined. Divide the batter between the cases and bake for 15 mins until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle of a cake comes out clean. Leave on a wire rack to cool.
• While the cakes are cooling, make the buttercream by beating together the icing sugar, butter and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Mix in the extra milk if the icing feels too stiff.
• Once the cakes are cool, use a sharp knife to slice off the tops, then cut the tops in half. Pipe or spread the buttercream on top of the cakes, then gently push two semi-circular halves into the buttercream on each cake, doing this at an angle to look like butterfly wings. You can serve the cupcakes at this stage, or decorate them with a little blob of jam in the centre and a scattering of sprinkles, if you like.

Steps:

• Cream the butter/shortening until completely smooth. Beat in vanilla extract. (If using all shortening, add 1/4 teaspoon fine sea or kosher salt.)On low speed, add sifted sugar, about 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of milk. Stop frequently to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. After the last addition of the sugar, evaluate the consistency of the frosting before adding more milk. Beat for 2 more minutes, on medium-high speed if a very fluffy frosting is desired. The frosting should be thick and not fall off a spatula unless tapped on the side of the bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed. Use immediately, or press plastic wrap onto the icing and refrigerate. Before using from refrigeration, stir vigorously to a spreading consistency. Frosting may be tinted if desired.