Smarties Muffins

On the weekend it was my Nan's 80th birthday, the whole family was there and so we went ten-pin bowling ! I honestly can't remember the last time I've done something like that and it made me start reminiscing for being a little kid and licking the batter of the spoon , playing in ball pits and the indoor play area's at restaurants, getting party bags and having ten-pin bowling parties . So this inspired me to make something colorful and childlike and VERY tasty ...

And voila Smarties Muffins ! :)

This is my go to vanilla cupcake recipe as I've never had a complaint , and there my favorite out of all the different types I've made , i altered the recipe slightly for this Muffin ,with the addition of Smarties.

Makes 12 Muffins 

175g Self-raising flour
150g Caster sugar
150g Softened unsalted butter
3 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 Tube of Smarties

For the Vanilla Butter-cream Frosting with Crushed Smarties

300g Icing sugar
150g Softened unsalted butter
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1-2 tsp Milk (add as needed)
1 Tube of Smarties for decoration

Method
Line a Muffin tin with 12 paper cases and then preheat your oven to 180 or gas mark four.
Then sift the self-raising flour into a small mixing bowl and set aside . In a larger mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar for a few minutes until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs to the mixture a little at a time . Don't worry if it begins to look similar to scrambled eggs, just add a little of the flour and voila the disaster should be adverted ! :) Now add the rest of the flour and the Vanilla extract and mix it well . And then lastly add about 1 tube of smarties.

Divide the mixture between the Muffin cases and bake for between 18-20 minutes , or until a skewer comes out clean . While the Muffin's are baking i like to make the topping , to make the Vanilla Butter-cream Frosting beat together the butter and icing sugar , but be careful to not be too vigorous at first or you will  end up covered in icing sugar ! When it becomes smooth and pale add the vanilla , if its a little thick slowly add some milk until you get the consistency you like . Now crush about 8 smarties and mix this into the  frosting .

I piped my icing on with a piping bag and nozzle i got from the Supermarket but unfortunately it burst half way through , so excuse the messy icing ! - It really is childlike :) And i then finished them off with a whole Smartie.

(And if your lucky you like me someone will offer to wash up for a muffin !  )

Enjoy !