Eton Mess Cupcakes and Fairy Cakes

'Proper' Eton Mess is delicious 
and these cupcakes are too. (Good Food Channel Recipe)

Years ago we used to call these little tea cakes "Fairy Cakes" - and mums would make a batch of them in plain paper cases, and they were as light as a feather.  
Link here for a Chocolate Fairy Cake recipe.  
.... recipes are really easy to make with the kids

Oven: 190 deg. C : (375F) : Gas 5.

Ingredients: Makes about 20 cakes

Fairy Cakes with Sultanas
170g (6ozs) Self Raising FLour

115g (4 ozs) Butter/(Margerine) 

115g (4 ozs) caster or granulated sugar

2 large eggs - beaten

140g (5ozs) dried mixed fruit - or dried fruit of choice .... (I like sultanas)

a little milk if necessary

Paper Cases - laid out on a baking tray or inside bun tins

1.  Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the eggs a little at a time - with a spoon of the flour - until well mixed in.

3.  Add the flour (keeping a little back to dredge the dried fruit with), then add in the dried fruit - and excess flour.

4. If the mixture is still a little thick, add some milk until you get a good 'dropping' consistency.  (This means that the mixture should plop off of a metal spoon spoon almost by itself, when you hold a spoonful of it over the bowl  (!) - but dont make it too loose).

5. Divide the mixture evenly into the paper cases and bake in the centre of your oven for approx. 20 mins until lightly golden - or test with a skewer, which should come out clean.

Allow to cool before decorating and eating.