EASY CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

It's been a while since I've done any baking so a rainy Wednesday afternoon this week called for me to do some. I decided to do chocolate orange cupcakes, they're super easy to make and even more delicious than you're thinking right now.

6oz self raising flour

2oz cocoa powder

8oz caster sugar

8oz baking fat

4 eggs

A generous pinch of baking powder

2 Terrys chocolate oranges

First of all preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Then take your cake tin and lay out the cake cases, this recipe made 16 cakes. Next put your baking fat and sugar into a large mixing bowl and cream the two together until smooth. The consistency should be creamy & smooth but you should still be able to feel the sugar in there. Then crack your eggs into a jug and give them a quick whisk. Gradually add the eggs to your mixture, whisking in between. Once all of your eggs are added, gradually add the flour sieving it as you go. This is where you need to get as much air as you can in, I add about 3 heaped tablespoons at a time and use a folding movement to mix it in. Finally break up 1 of the chocolate oranges and stir it through the mixture. Then divide the mix between your cake cases and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Whilst your cakes are in the oven you can make the frosting, for this you will need:

4oz unsalted butter (room temperature)

3oz (approx) icing sugar

A drop of vanilla essence

First of all whisk the butter until it's smooth and creamy. Then gradually begin to add your icing sugar sieving it as you do. I add about 2 heaped tablespoons at a time. Keep adding the icing sugar until it's sweet enough for you. I usually use around 3oz of icing sugar but I know some people prefer it sweeter so add more. Finally I add a drop of vanilla essence, this sweetens it a little bit more and adds a bit more deliciousness.

Once your cakes are cooked, take them out of the tray and allow them to cool. Then add your frosting in whatever design you like. Finally, break up the remaining chocolate orange and decorate. You can get creative or just place a segment on top like I did! Enjoy!!