Easter recipe from Amy's Baking Year by Amy-Beth

I take no credit for this recipe, it is entirely thought up by the wonderful Amy-Beth Ellice (although I have reduced the sugar a little).
I realise that it has been a while since Easter, but I have not yet posted anything to do with it, so I decided to share with you a recipe that I found today.

Chocolate Nest Cupcakes
by Amy-Beth Ellice

For the cupcakes -

175g self-raising flour
175g butter
100g caster sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (paste)

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4 (180°C) and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake or muffin cases.

Put the butter, caster sugar, eggs and  vanilla into the bowl of a food processor or an ordinary bowl. Mix with a hand held electric whisk or just start up the mixer. Mix until combined. Then sift the flour gradually into the mixture until light and creamy.

Spoon it into he cases and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Leave to cool for around ten minutes until completely cold.

For the chocolate buttercream -

225g butter
400g icing sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2-3 tbsp milk

Beat the butter until soft and creamy then sift in the icing sugar and cocoa powder. Mix until smooth and creamy. If it is too thick, add some milk.
Pipe circles of the icing onto the cooled cupcakes.

For the topping -

Mini sugar coated chocolate eggs (×36)

Place three of the eggs in the centre of each one and you're ready to serve!

Many thanks for reading,
Rosie