Prep. time: 20-30 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

If you have visited the perpetually pink Peggy Porschen in west London, you’ll know how seriously cupcakes are taken in Britain. Although originating in America, cupcakes are a dainty and delicious addition to any outdoor feast. Why not go full Anglophile and add blue and red food colouring to your frosting mix to create a Union Jack themed sweet treat for your next British picnic?

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F, and place 12 paper cupcake cases on a baking tray.
2. Grab a large mixing bowl and use a hand whisk or electric mixer to combine the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Next, slowly add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing for a few minutes more.
4. Add the salt and continue to gradually add the flour into the mix, stirring continuously.
5. Once the ingredients are fully mixed, carefully spoon into the cases and place into the oven. They will only take 15 minutes to turn golden brown, but use the skewer test to make sure they are fully baked through – a clear skewer poked in the middle of a cake means they are done.

While the cakes bake, make a start on the buttercream frosting.

1. Start by mixing the room temperature butter with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until fluffy.
2. Sieve the icing sugar into the butter and add the vanilla extract.
3. Once mixed, add the milk and continue to beat for a few more minutes.
4. Separate the mix into three and stir in the food colouring to create the red, white and blue colour scheme.