CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS!

Easy Easter treats that the whole family will love

- JOHANNA MENTEL

Chocolate cupcakes

MAKES 12

Warm spices and a touch of orange make a special upgrade for Easter.

YOU WILL NEED

125g butter, softened

125g golden caster sugar

1tsp vanilla extract

2 medium free-range eggs, beaten

100g plain flour

50g cocoa powder, plus extra to dust

1tsp baking powder

¾tsp mixed spice

½tsp ground cinnamon

60g chopped candied orange peel

4tbsp whole milk

Mini eggs and raspberries, to decorate

For the buttercream:

280g full-fat soft cheese

100g butter, softened

100g icing sugar, sifted

You will need:

12 cupcake cases, 12-hole cupcake tin, piping bag fitted with star nozzle

HOW TO DO IT

1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan. Beat the butter and sugar using an electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and the eggs, one by one.

2 In a separate bowl mix together the flour, cocoa, baking powder and spices, then sift into the wet mixture and fold until just combined. Stir in the peel and milk, then divide between the cupcake cases. Bake for 12-15 mins.

3 For the buttercream, put the butter, sugar and half the soft cheese in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth, then add remaining cheese and beat until smooth.

4 Transfer the buttercream to the piping bag and pipe a rosette on top of each cupcake. Dust with cocoa and add mini eggs and raspberries.