
Ingredients
- 70g cocoa powder
- 3 large free-range large eggs
- 235g unsalted butter, softened
- 165g Billington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 115g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 250g icing sugar
- 3 tbsp whole milk
- 2 tbsp chocolate sprinkles
- 1 flake, crumbled
Method
Step 1
Heat the oven to 200°C/ 180°C fan/ gas 6. Line a muffin tin with paper cases. Sift in 40g cocoa powder into a bowl, pour in 4 tbsp freshly boiled water and mix into a thick paste. This may look curdled - this is normal.Step 2
Add the eggs, 175g butter, sugar, self-raising flour and baking powder. Mix until smooth.Step 3
Divide equally between the 12 paper cases, if you have one- try using an ice cream scoop to guarantee evenly portioned cupcakes. Bake for 12-15 mins until risen and springy to the touch. Cool in the cases on a wire rack.Step 4
Meanwhile, make the chocolate buttercream icing. Melt the remaining 60g butter and pour it into a bowl. Sift in the remaining 30g cocoa powder and whisk in the icing sugar a little at a time to make a glossy and spreadable chocolate buttercream, add a splash of milk to loosen if necessary.Step 5
Transfer the icing into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle then pipe over the cupcakes, sprinkle with chocolate decorations and leave to set before serving.