Volcano Cupcakes

First things first, pre-heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas Mark 4, line a muffin tray with 8 cupcake cases. Cream together the margarine and sugar in a large bowl until nice and smooth.

Add the eggs and Vanilla Extract and whisk in until all combined - if the mixture begins to curdle add a spoonful of flour.

Sieve over the flour, Baking Powder and Cocoa Powder and fold through the mixture. Divide the mixture evenly between the 8 cupcake cases. Pop 2 squares of Dark Chocolate into each cupcake, making sure they are pushed into the mixture. Bake the cupcakes for 20-25 minutes until risen and when a skewer is inserted into the centre of a cupcake it comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then remove from the tins and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Whilst your cakes are baking, make the chocolate flames to give them time to set. Melt 50g of White Chocolate and divide between two bowls. Mix a couple of drops of Red Colour Gel into one bowl and a few drops of Orange into the other. – if your chocolate becomes a bit thick stir through a few drops of vegetable oil.

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and blob ½ tsp of red chocolate onto the greaseproof and ½ tsp orange on top, then using the back of a spoon or paint brush spread the blob of chocolate in one direction to create a flame effect. Repeat this to use up all the chocolate. Pop your chocolate flames into the fridge to set.

Once your chocolate cupcakes are nearly cool, make your chocolate lava glaze. Break 100g of White Chocolate into pieces and place in a bowl, pour over the double cream and melt together in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stir well after each burst until you have a lovely smooth glaze.

Divide it between two bowls and add a few drops of red colour gel to one bowl and a few drops of orange to the other, stir until the colour is evenly mixed, add more colour if you want a brighter colour. Leave to one side to thicken slightly.

Once your cupcakes are cooled, remove them from the cases and cut any domed tops off your cupcakes, turn upside down and pop into your serving plate or board.

Use a teaspoon and add a spoonful of red glaze and spoonful of orange glaze onto the top of each cake and use the spoon to swirl the glaze together gently pushing the glaze over the edge of the cake.

Finally gently peel the chocolate flames off the greasproof paper and pop into the top of your volcano cakes, if they look too big you can break them up a bit and add a couple of flames onto each cake.

Ta-dah your volcano cakes are ready to serve and ooze chocolatey lava out of the centre!