Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Recipe can be found here: http://ibakethings.blogspot.com/2010/10/chocolate-chip-cupcakes.html

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Ingredients:

175g butter

175g caster sugar

175g self raising flour

3 eggs

Vanilla essence

Chocolate chips

Cocoa Powder

1. Preheat oven to 180C - Beat sugar and butter in a bowl until creamy and soft.

2. Add eggs one at a time and beat until soft

3. Add vanilla if using.

4. Sift in flour, then fold in with a wooden spoon - then add the cocoa powder (I usually use 3 tablespoons)

5. Add chocolate chips

6. Pour mixture into muffin cases

7. Bake for about 15 / 20 minutes.

Buttercream Icing:

140g/5oz butter, softened

280g/10oz icing sugar

1-2 tbsp milk

few drops food colouring (if desired)

Top with whatever you like :)

Homemade Crisps

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil or sunflower oil

1 washed potato, sliced paper thin (peeling is optional)

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1. Pour the vegetable oil / sunflower oil into a plastic sandwich or freezer bag. Add the potato slices, and toss to coat.

2. Coat a large dinner plate lightly with oil. Arrange potato slices in a single layer on the dish.

3. Cook in the microwave for 3 to 6 minutes, or until lightly browned (if not browned, they will not become crisp). Times will vary depending on the power of your microwave. Remove chips from plate, and toss with salt (or other seasonings). Leave to cool.

4. Repeat process with the remaining potato slices. You will not need to keep oiling the plate.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Testing out my new 1m nozzle.

Ingredients:

100g butter or margarine

100g caster sugar

100g self-raising flour, sifted

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon baking powder (optional)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (Electric oven | Electric fan oven 160°C | Gas Mark 4) and place 12 paper cases into a muffin tin.

2. Using an electric whisk, food processor or wooden spoon, beat the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating each one in well before adding the next. Add the vanilla essence if using.

4. Carefully fold in the flour (and baking powder if using).

5. Bake in the oven for 10 - 20 minutes.