Blood Red Mummy Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 225g caster sugar
• 225g of plain flour
• 180ml buttermilk
• 90g of butter
• 2 medium free range eggs
• 2 tbsp of red food colouring
• 1 tbsp of good quality of cocoa powder
• 2 tsp of white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 level tsp of bicarbonate of soda

For the icing:

• 90g of icing sugar
• 1 tsp of red food colouring
• 1/2 pack of ready to roll icing

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 190˚C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Place the oven wrack in middle of the oven and line a 12 hole muffin tray with cupcake cases.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until it becomes light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until they are incorporated in the mix. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix through the vanilla extract.
3. Sift the cocoa powder and flour into a bowl and then mix thoroughly into the batter in 3 batches alternating with the buttermilk until you are left with a smooth mix. Mix through the red food colouring.
4. In a separate small bowl whisk together the bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar which will give a good fizz and then stir through the red velvet batter.
5. Using two dessert spoons, divide the batter evenly amongst the cupcake cases. Bake the cupcakes for approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the oven allow to cool slightly and then transfer to a wire wrack and leave to cool completely.
6. In a bowl mix the icing sugar with a few drops of cold water and the red food colouring until you you have a smooth icing. Spread the icing over the cupcakes and place 3 smarties on each for the mummy eyes and nose.
7. Dust a clean work surface with icing sugar and roll out the fondant icing to 2mm in thickness and then cut out 1cm wide strips the size of the cupcakes. Drape the fondant strips over the mummy's nose and then continue to pile on the strips to form the bandages.
8. Make sure to leave space for the eyes which you can give a quick brush with black food colouring for character!