Fairy cakes, the easiest thing to make, what could possibly go wrong?!!
The cakes were easy to make, I love putting everything in a bowl and then just mixing it all up.
Into the oven and they came out just as they should.
I let them cool and made up the buttercream icing. So, far, so good.

I have never managed the art of icing. I watch the Bake Off with envy, how do they get their icing so smooth or in such intricate patterns? In the past, I have used the old-fashioned piping kit. You know the one, with a container and two handles you could put your thumb in. I never seemed to get enough cream in the nozzle. This time, after a trip to IKEA, I brought a proper icing kit with a bag, connector and nozzle.
I excitedly spooned my mixture in, squeezed it down and poised myself ready to ice.
First cake, squeezed the icing out slowly, swirled it perfectly on the cake, then topped with the wings.
Second cake, started off smoothly, then I seem to have lost a bit of pressure.
Third cake, squeezed the bag down, nothing comes out the nozzle. I look down, to see all the icing over my hand and on the board! I thought, how can this happen, what have I done or not done?
Then I realise that the bag has split, brand new and the bag had split!! I was not amused!! So, my technical challenge has all gone wrong.
I contacted IKEA and I have had one response and am still waiting for the solution.
I will try again; I will not be beaten by icing!!

Ingredients
175g butter (room temperature), cut into large pieces
175g self-raising flour
175g caster sugar
0.5tsp baking powder
3 large eggs
0.5tsp vanilla extract

For the icing:
175g butter (room temperature), cut into large pieces
0.5tsp vanilla extract
2 –3tbsp milk
350g icing sugar, sifted
1 –3 drops pink edible colouring

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C
Put paper cupcake cases in 12-hole muffin tin
Put all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk until smooth and evenly mixed. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cakes are well risen and firm on top. Cool.
Make buttercream icing.
As I was making fairy cakes, I took the top off the cake, squirted some icing on and then cut the top piece in two to make wings but you could decorate in any way you choose.