"I Love London" Themed Chocolate Sponge Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

This week I decided to go back to basics and make some super simple little cakes and 'go to town' on the decoration side of things! So, I opted for a chocolate sponge (who doesn't like that?) and some super sweet, vanilla buttercream frosting!
     I bought my decorations from 'The Happy Cupcake Company' (http://www.thehappycupcakecompany.co.uk) in Bath which, as we all know by now, is my favourite shop in Bath and does make me a happy cupcake baker! I used some London themed cases which each had red London buses round the outside and a Beefeater guard on the bottom (and yes, I shamelessly used and enjoyed the stereotypes...) I then sprinkled gold stars on the top and placed an edible, sparkly red heart on each - being the glitter loving lady that I am, happiness was then achieved.
     This was the recipe I used for these gorgeous cakes which were a vision in red, white and blue (with a touch of gold...)

(For The Sponge - Makes 18)

100g plain flour
20g cocoa powder
140g caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
40g butter
120ml semi skimmed milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

(For The Frosting)

250g icing sugar
80g butter
25ml semi skimmed milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Simply preheat your oven to 170ºC (Gas Mark 3) and cook your cakes for 20-25 minutes.
• Once cool , mix all your vanilla frosting ingredients together and then frost and decorate to your heart's content!

Enjoy, K x