Mel's Red Velvet Cupcakes

As love is in the air this month, I thought this would be the perfect treat for sharing. I have always loved baking for people; it never fails to bring a smile to people’s faces whether it's at work, your sewing group or instead of a bunch of flowers. Spread a little love this month and bake up some goodies for the lovely people in your life.

For the cakes:

• 50g softened butter, 150g caster sugar

• Red gel food colouring

• 100ml buttermilk, 50ml veg oil

• 1 tsp white wine vinegar, 150g plain flour

• 1tbsp cocoa powder, 1tsp bicarbonate of soda

• pinch of salt, 1 tbsp (one small tube) red gel food colouring

 For topping:

• 100g butter 

• 100g cream cheese 

• 225g icing sugar

• 8 squares plain chocolate, to decorate 

1. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar. Add the wet ingredients and beat well. Mix in the dry ingredients, then finally the food colouring. Scoop into twelve cupcake cases and bake at 160c for 20 mins approx (until springy and cooked through).

2. For the topping beat butter, cream cheese and icing sugar together until smooth. Pipe in swirls onto cooled cakes

3. Melt the dark chocolate and roughly pipe heart shapes onto a piece of grease proof paper, pop in fridge to set, then top the cupcakes with them before serving.

Download Mel’s Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe here