Egg nest cupcakes

Method

• step 1

  To make the cupcakes. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and fill a 12 cupcake tray with cupcake cases.

• step 2

  Use an electric whisk to beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

• step 3

  Whisk in the eggs one at a time scraping down the bowl after each addition.

• step 4

  Add the vanilla, flour and a pinch of salt and whisk until just combined.

• step 5

  Spoon mixture into the cupcake cases and put in the oven for 15 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

• step 6

  While the cupcakes are cooling make the icing. Using a freestanding electric mixer or handheld electric whisk beat together the icing sugar, butter and cocoa powder on medium/slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.

• step 7

  Turn the mixer down to a slower speed and add the milk to the butter mixture a tablespoon at a time.

• step 8

  When the milk is incorporated and the cakes cool, spoon the icing into an icing bag with a small nozzle or small hole cut in the end of the bag.

• step 9

  Twist the top of the piping bag and push to pipe twigs on the cupcakes pipe straight lines over the cupcakes to imitate a nest.

• step 10

  Then add the final touch place the mini eggs in threes on the top of the cupcakes.