Method

• Preheat the oven to 170 C / Gas 3.
• Put the butter and sugar into a mixer and whizz up until light and fluffy.
• Pour in the vanilla essence and add the eggs - whizz again to make a yellow batter.
• Add the flour and mix until it is smooth, about 5 minutes. Stop once in the middle of this and scrape the sides down using a spatula. The longer mixing time enables air to get into the mixture which will make it lighter. Pour into fairy or cupcake cases.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them. They will be perfect when they bounce back to the touch and the top still looks slightly sticky. This will ensure they keep their moisture.
• Leave on a cooling rack for 30 minutes or until cool, then decorate as you wish.
• Top with buttercream, fondant icing or just eat plain!!