Made popular by New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, these cakes are five star. Simple to make yet spectacular as a centrepiece, these red velvet cakes with cream cheese icing are luxurious.

To prep 30 min  -  To cook 25 min  -  18 Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 350g (2 1/3 cups) plain flour
• 2 tbs cocoa powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 315g (1 1/2 cups) caster sugar
• 250ml (1 cup) buttermilk
• 185ml (3/4 cup) vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3 tsp red food colouring
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• Dollar Sweets Fairy Fives sprinkles, to decorate frosting
• 250g pkt cream cheese, at room temperature
• 100g butter, at room temperature
• 195g (1 1/4 cups) pure icing sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation method:

1) Preheat oven to 180°C. Line eighteen 80ml (1/3-cup) capacity muffin pans with paper cases. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar.

2) Whisk the buttermilk, oil, eggs, food colouring and vinegar in a jug until combined. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add the buttermilk mixture and stir until just combined.

3) Divide the mixture among the prepared pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centres comes out clean. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

4) To make the cream cheese frosting, use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.

5) Pipe the icing over the cupcakes and top with the sprinkles.