What you need:
- 200g/7oz Odlums Cream Plain Flour
- 125g/4oz Butter (room temperature)
- 150g/5oz Granulated Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2½ tablespoons Cocoa Powder, sieved
- ½ teaspoon Goodall’s Vanilla Extract
- 25ml/1 bottle Goodall’s Red Colouring
- 150ml/¼pt Buttermilk
- Pinch of Salt
- ½ teaspoon Odlums Bread Soda, sieved
- 1½ teaspoons White Vinegar
Topping
- 125g/4oz Butter (room temperature)
- 100g Cream Cheese
- 325g/11oz Icing Sugar (sieved)
- 1 teaspoon Goodall’s Vanilla Extract
How to:
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Line a twelve cupcake tin with paper cases.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Add the egg and beat well.
- Next put the cocoa, vanilla and colouring into the mixture and mix well to combine.
- Reduce speed on beater and add half the buttermilk and flour, mix well. Repeat with remaining buttermilk and flour.
- Finally, add in the salt, bread soda and vinegar. Beat on high speed until completely smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the paper cases. Bake for approx 20 minutes until risen and firm to springy to the touch.
- Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire tray to cool fully.
- When cold beat the topping ingredients together until smooth, then pipe or spread onto each cupcake and top with a red heart if liked












Serves 2-4.
You will need:
50g (2oz) dried porcini mushrooms
400ml (14fl oz) boiling water
800ml (1pt 9fl oz) good-quality chicken or vegetable stock
50g (2oz) butter
1 onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
400g (14oz) risotto rice, such as carnaroli or arborio
200ml (7fl oz) white wine
8 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
100g (3oz) butter, soft, cut into cubes
4 tablespoons marjoram or parsley, chopped
Good squeeze of lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons mascarpone (optional)