• 125g butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup milk
• Pink, green and yellow food colouring
• Smarties, jelly beans, snakes, jubes and
• 100s and 1000s, to decorate

Buttercream icing

• 125g butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar mixture
• 1 tablespoon milk

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line a 12-hole, 1/3 cup-capacity muffin pan with paper cases.
   
   
2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in flour and milk to combine.
   
   
3. Spoon 1/4 cup mixture into each paper case. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of 1 cake comes out clean. Stand cakes in pan for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
   
   
4. Make icing: Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a bowl until pale. Gradually add icing sugar mixture and milk, beating to combine. Divide icing between 3 bowls. Tint each portion a different colour.
   
   
5. Place lollies and 100s and 1000s in separate bowls. Let kids spread cupcakes with icing and decorate with lollies.