Name: Lemon cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Makes 12
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 140g unsalted butter softened; 100g caster sugar; zest ½ lemon; 2 large eggs lightly beaten; 140g self-raising flour; 85g butter softened; 175g icing sugar; zest and juice ½ lemon; sprinkles or sweets to decorate

140g unsalted butter
softened
100g caster sugar
zest ½ lemon
2 large eggs
lightly beaten
140g self-raising flour

For the butter cream icing

85g butter
softened
175g icing sugar
zest and juice ½ lemon
sprinkles or sweets
to decorate

Method

step 1
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole bun tin with fairy cake cases. Beat the butter and sugar in a big bowl with a wooden spoon until it is really soft, then add the lemon zest. slowly stir in the eggs, then fold in the flour until it is all combined. Use two teaspoons to divide the mixture between the cake cases. Bake for 18-20 mins until the cakes are golden and springy when you touch them. Cool the cakes on a wire rack.
step 2
While you wait for the cakes to cool, make the butter cream icing. Beat the butter until it is really soft. Gradually beat in the icing sugar, lemon zest and juice until it is thick and yummy. Spread the butter cream on top of the cakes with the back of a spoon, then decorate with sprinkles or sweeties.