I am placing this recipe as I have received many requests for it. I normally make a plain loaf from this, but it makes very good cup cakes as well. It is also an easy recipe as all the ingredients are mixed together. As a loaf it is delicious served warm without any decoration.

CUPCAKES

½ c soft butter or margarine
1 t vanilla essence
2 t baking powder
2 eggs
¾ c sugar
1 ½ sifted cake flour
½ c milk


METHOD

Place cupcake cases in the hollows of a muffin tin. This will help the cakes to retain its shape.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat well.
Spoon mixture into cupcake cases.
Bake at 180° C for 15 minutes.
Place cupcakes on a cooling rack and let it cool down completely before decorating.
Makes approximately 12 cupcakes.


BUTTER ICING

125 g butter or margarine at room temperature.
500 g sifted icing sugar.

Cream butter until it is soft. Add icing one spoon at a time and mix well until it is well combined before adding the next spoon.
If the icing is too stiff when all the icing sugar is added, add a tablespoon of milk and mix well.
The icing can be tested by touching a finger to the icing. If some icing sticks to your finger then it is the right consistency. If it does not stick to your finger it is too dry. Add another spoon of milk.

To make a loaf, spoon the mixture into a loaf tin and bake at 180° for 50 – 60 minutes.
The loaf can be iced but usually it does not last long enough in our house to be decorated.