Marble Cupcakes

My 14yo loves to bake and decided to bake some of these delicious treats for our morning tea over the Bank Holiday Weekend.  She also took the photos in this post, clearly she is a food blogger in the making!

Marbled Cupcakes

250g butter, softened
250g caster sugar
1 dollop vanilla bean paste or 1 tsp vanilla extract

3 free range eggs, beaten
250g flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 Tblsp cocoa powder

Preheat your oven to 190C/170C Fan. Line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper liners.

Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, I used a hand held electric beater.  Keep beating the mixture and add the beaten egg a little at a time. If the mixture looks like it is starting to curdle add a tablespoon or two of flour. Once the egg has been incorporated, gently fold in the flour and baking powder. Divide the mixture evenly between two bowls. Add the cocoa powder to the one bowl and fold in until completely combined. 

Spoon dollops of each of the mixtures into each muffin case then gently swirl a skewer through the mixture to create a marbled effect.  Gently level the top of each cupcake.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in to the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.