Beach Babe Cupcakes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

None None FOR THE CUPCAKES
8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 None eggs
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup milk
None None FOR THE BUTTERCREAM
8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
None None TO DECORATE
None None Brown sugar, for sprinkling
12 squares striped licorice candies
12 None jelly baby candies
12 None paper cocktail umbrellas

Preparation

For the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Beat butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in flour, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Divide the mixture among the muffin cups.
Bake for about 20 mins until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 mins. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
For the buttercream, beat the butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the sifted powdered sugar and milk, in two batches. Spread on top of cooled cupcakes.
Sprinkle with brown sugar for the sand. Add a licorice candy for the beach mat and top with a jelly baby candy. Gently push a paper cocktail umbrella into each cupcake.