As well as making a cake for my birthday, i also made cupcakes. Because a girl just can’t have one or the other (and admittedly it was a backup plan incase my cake didn’t turn out!)

Coconut cupcakes

Coconut Cupcakes

Makes 12

• 125 grams butter (softened)
• 2/3 cup caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 1/4 cups self-raising flour
• 1/3 cup milk

Method 

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C (160C fan forced)
2. Line 12 hole muffin pan with paper cases
3. Beat butter, sugar and eggs in a small bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy
4. Stir in the coconut, then sifted flour and milk
5. Divide mixture among cases and smooth surfaces
6. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cooked
7. Cool cupcakes on wire racks
8. Decorate cupcakes however you please – I used white chocolate ganache and covered with fondant and silver cachous