Something for everyone.

I do enjoy a good school fair, and this year was no exception: welly throwing, plant sale, tombola, beat the goalie . . . all the classics.  And once faces had been painted, and castle bounced on, we headed over to the cafe for some home-baked goods.

The following is my go-to any time the kids come home with the letter asking for cake: it's easy, you've probably got most of the ingredients already and, best of all, they can be assembled in 5 minutes or so.  I give you

Mini Choc Choc Muffins (makes 24)

Preheat oven to 200C / 400F / GM6
Grease the muffin tins

5oz (150g) plain flour
2 level tablespoons cocoa powder
1 level tablespoon baking powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1.5oz (40g) caster sugar
4fl oz (120ml) milk
2oz (50g) plain choc drops
2oz (50g) butter, melted and slightly cooled

Topping
2.75oz (65g) plain choc drops
glace cherries / skittles / smarties or whatever


-Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a large bowl
-In a separate bowl mix the egg, sugar, milk and butter
-Sift the mixed dry ingredients into the wet
-Fold the dry into the wet ingredients for 10 seconds or so.  It'll look a bit lumpy, this is ok
-Fold in the 50g of choc drops - again, don't overwork
-Spoon the mix into the muffin tins (approx 1 heaped teaspoon per cup)
-Bake for 10 minutes until well risen
-Leave in the tin to cool a little then transfer to a cooling rack
-While cooling, melt the 65g choc drops and when the muffins are cool enough to handle spoon a little chocolate onto each.  Add topping of choice

Over the years I've discovered that while adults go for the cherries, the primary school market prefer skittles / smarties.  Also, don't forget to add the choc drops to the cake mix - they don't taste so good without!

The final stage is to sample, with a nice cup of tea.