Classic Cupcakes

Recipe and picture from www.taste.com.au

Makes 12

Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
3/4 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup milk
125g butter, melted, cooled
2 x 59g eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Sprinkles and lollies, to decorate

Icing
1 1/2 cups pure icing sugar
Pink food colouring, optional
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons water

Method
1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 12 x 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan. Alternatively, line holes with paper cases. Combine flour and caster sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre.
2. Add milk, butter, eggs and vanilla to flour mixture. Using a large metal spoon, stir gently to combine.
3. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
4. Make icing: Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add food colouring and water. Stir until smooth and well combined. Spoon icing over cupcakes. Decorate with sprinkles and lollies.

Choc Chip Banana Muffins

Recipe and picture from www.taste.com.au

Scrumptious treats which combine the goodness of banana and joy of chocolate.

Ingredients (serves 12)
60g butter
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup (200g) Nestle Dark Choc Bits

Method
1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a medium muffin tray (12 sections) with paper cases. Melt butter in a small saucepan or heat-proof bowl in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients.
3. Using a whisk, lightly beat milk, eggs and butter in a jug. Add to dry ingredients, along with mashed banana. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix ingredients until just combined. Stir in choc bits. Don't beat the mixture or the muffins will be tough.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cases. Bake for 20 minutes or until firm on top when lightly touched (get an adult to help with this). Leave in the tray for 3 minutes. Transfer the muffins to a rack to cool.

Banana Muffins

Recipe and picture from www.taste.com.au

Makes 12

Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 cup mashed banana
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk
140g can diced apple

Method
1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a 12 x 1/3-cup capacity muffin pan or line with paper cases. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Add sugar and stir until well combined.
2. Place banana, egg and buttermilk into a jug. Whisk with a fork to combine.
3. Add banana mixture and apple to dry ingredients. Gently fold all ingredients together until just combined.
4. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack. Serve warm.