I love Cadbury’s Mini Eggs so much I’m not safe to be left alone in a room with an open bag of them. It wouldn’t even matter if they belonged to my three year old nephew. Can’t. Help. Myself. Just this afternoon I popped a bag in my supermarket shop planning to have a couple with a cup of tea and save the rest. You can guess what happened.

I didn’t think Mini Eggs could be improved upon until I saw them perched them on top of a swirl of chocolate frosting which in turn was on top of the most chocolately cupcakes I have ever tasted. Trust me, they’re immense. Whip up a batch and that’s pretty much Easter, done.

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{Ingredients}

For the cupcakes:

  • 100g plain flour
  • 20g cocoa powder
  • 140g caster sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 40g butter at room temperature
  • 120ml whole milk
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    • For the frosting:

  • 300g icing sugar
  • 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 40g cocoa powder
  • 40ml whole milk

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    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 170°C/fan 150°C/gas 3. Line a muffin tray with paper cases.
    2. Put the flour, cocoa, caster sugar, baking powder, butter and salt into a freestanding mixer with paddle attachment, or use a handheld whisk and mix until you get a sandy consistency.
    3. Whisk the milk, egg and vanilla together in a jug then slowly pour in about half, mixing on a medium speed. Turn the speed down and add the remaining milk mixture. Mix until well combined.
    4. Divide the batter between the cases, filling each one two thirds full.
    5. Place in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until sponges are risen and bouncy. Leave in the tin for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
    6. Make the frosting by beating together the icing sugar, butter and cocoa powder in a freestanding mixer with paddle attachment, or using an electric whisk till it starts to come together and is well mixed.
    7. Turn down the speed and add the milk. Turn up the speed and beat for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
    8. Spread over the cupcakes, or pipe on in swirls, then top with your choice of decoration.

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