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Christmas Cupcakes

Recipe Submitted By: bakingmad

These Christmas Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas party accompaniment, you could even make them as a gift for someone.

150 grams	Butter at room temperature
150 grams	Golden Caster Sugar (Billington's)
3	Free Range Eggs (Happy Eggs) beaten
125 grams	Self Raising Flour (Allinson Nature Friendly)
25 grams	Cocoa Powder
0.50 tsp	Baking Powder
0.50 tsp	Mixed Spice
50 grams	Raisins

For the buttercream icing:

50 grams	Butter
200 grams	Icing Sugar (Silver Spoon Homegrown)
50 grams	Ready Rolled White Icing (Silver Spoon Create)
	Red Food Colour (Silver Spoon Create)
	Sprinkle Decorations (Silver Spoon Create)

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Heat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, gas 4. Line a cup cake tin with 12 paper cupcake cases.
Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs a little at a time until smooth, adding a little flour if the mixture curdles.
Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, mixed spice and raisins until smooth
Place heaped dessertspoon full in each cupcake case and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and just firm to the touch.
To make the butter cream, place the butter in a bowl with 1-2 tsp boiling water, add the icing sugar and beat until smooth. Place in a piping bag with a large star nozzle and pipe on top of the cakes.
To make the stars, colour the Ready to Roll icing with a drop of red food colouring then roll out on a work surface very lightly dusted with icing sugar. Cut out small star shapes and leave to dry overnight if you have time. Place on top of the cakes. Decorate with sprinkles.