Ingredients

• 225g (1¼ cup) self-raising flour
• 25g (¼ cup) cocoa powder
• 150g (½ cup) caster sugar
• 60g (¼ cup) diced copha
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 125ml (½ cup) buttermilk
• 1 tbsp red food colouring
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• Colourful sprinkles/100s and 1000s (for decoration)
• 1 small packet of Smarties (for decoration)

• 250g (1 cup) softened cream cheese
• 125g (½ cup) softened copha
• 250g (2 cups) icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (fan forced 160° C) 350°F/ 320°F. Line a standard 12-hole cupcake/muffin pan with paper cases for standard sized cupcakes, or a 24-hole pan for mini-cupcakes.
2. Sift together self-raising flour and cocoa powder. Soften copha in microwave in 30 second increments until just soft enough to beat.
3. Cream copha and caster sugar using an electric mixer; adding eggs one at a time.
4. Combine vanilla essence, buttermilk and food colouring in a bowl, microwave on high for 30 seconds. Turn mixer to low speed. Add flour mix and buttermilk in batches.
5. In a small bowl, stir together the bicarbonate soda and vinegar. Add to the cupcake batter. Divide batter equally into the prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Set aside for 5-10 minutes in the pan before turning onto a wire rack for cooling.

Cream cheese frosting

1. Soften copha in microwave in 30 second increments until just soft enough to beat.
2. Pre-warm the outside of your electric mixer bowl with running hot water (to keep copha soft). Add copha, cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla essence to your bowl and beat until well combined.

Assembly

• Fill a piping bag fitted with a 2cm nozzle with frosting.
• Pipe swirls over the cup cakes.
• Decorate your cupcakes with 100s and 1000s and smarties.

Tips: Serve at room temperature; suggest take out from the fridge 1 hour before serving. Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.