Do

1. Preheat oven to 170° and line 24 large cupcake tins with paper cases.

2. Place flour and baking powder into the Thermomix bowl, combine 10 sec/speed 10 to sift. Set aside

3. Place sugar into the Thermomix bowl and mill 10 sec/speed 10 scrape bowl

4. Add butter and chop 20 sec/speed 5 this will take longer if the butter is cold. It needs to be fully combined before inserting the butterfly

5. Insert butterfly and whip 90 sec/speed 3 scrape bowl

6. Add eggs 1 at a time 30 sec/speed 3

7. Add vanilla and salt and combine 6 sec/speed 3 scrape bowl

8. Add cocoa powder, activated charcoal and black food colouring, if using and combine 10 sec/speed 3 scrape bowl

9. Add a third of the flour mix, combine 8 sec/ speed 3 scrape bowl. Add half of the milk (125 grams) 8 sec/speed 3 scrape bowl.

10. Add another third of the flour mix, combine 8 sec/ speed 3 scrape bowl. Add remaining milk (125 grams) 8 sec/speed 3 scrape bowl. Add the remaining flour and mix 6 sec/speed 3

11. Finishing combining with a spatula

12. Fill paper cases 3/4 of the way and bake 15-18 minutes, or until slightly browned and bounce back when touched. Cool

13. Make the ermine frosting, adding food colouring at the end, if using. Ice and decorate your cupcakes as you wish for your halloween theme

14. Best served at room temperature, but store in the fridge