COOL CAKES EASY 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:

• Tip the flour into a large bowl and stir through the salt and nutmeg. Add the butter and rub it in with your fingertips to make a fine, breadcrumb consistency. Add the sugar and currants and stir in 3 tbsp milk until it just comes together, add a further 1 tbsp if the dough is a little dry. Bring together into a ball, try not to overwork the dough as this will make it tough.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a 5mm thickness and cut out rounds using a 6 or 7cm cutter. Re-roll any scraps and cut out more until you have used up all the dough.
• Place a cast iron pan or heavy based frying pan over a medium heat to get really hot. Cook for 3-4 mins on each side or until lightly golden, you will need to turn the heat down slightly if they begin to catch. Immediately toss in the sugar and set aside on a wire rack to cool down for 15 mins.