Choc-cherry cupcakes

Preperation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Serves: 5

Recipe Ingredients

250g cherries, pitted;
150g plain flour;
2 tbsp cocoa powder;
2 tsp baking powder;
40g caster sugar;
1 large egg, beaten;
125ml milk;
50g butter, melted;
150g plain chocolate, broken into pieces;
142ml double cream;
10 muffin cases.

Recipe Method

Pick out 10 of the nicest looking cherries and put to one side for decorating later. Put 10 muffin cases into a muffin tray and preheat the oven to 200c or gas 6.

Roughly chop the rest of the cherries. Into a large bowl sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Add the sugar and gently toss the cherries through the mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, milk and butter. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the egg mixture, folding it quickly into the flour. It should look lumpy.

Divide the mixture between the muffin cases and bake in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes until the cupcakes have risen. Put on a wire rack to cool.

Meanwhile, put the chocolate in a pan with the cream and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and beat until thick and smooth. Spoon the chocolate icing over each of the cold cupcakes and decorate with a cherry on top.