Fairy Cakes with Swirl Icing

Light, fluffy sponge cakes topped with smooth buttercream icing and a shower of rainbow sprinkles. Finished with our icing tubes to add charming details, patterns, or messages. A British childhood classic that never goes out of style — ideal for birthday parties, bake sales, or a cheerful afternoon treat.

Ingredients

• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 125g caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 125g self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons whole milk

For the Buttercream:

• 150g unsalted butter, softened
• 300g icing sugar, sifted
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food colouring (optional)

For Decorating:

• Rainbow sprinkles
• Ready-to-use icing tubes in your chosen colours

Instructions

Make the Batter: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/Gas 4). Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cake cases. Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy — about 3–4 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the flour, vanilla, and milk until just combined and smooth.

Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the cake cases, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 15–18 minutes until risen, golden, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Buttercream: Beat the butter until very soft and pale. Gradually add the icing sugar, beating well after each addition. Add the milk and vanilla, then beat for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy. Tint with food colouring if desired.

Ice the Cakes: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous swirl of buttercream on top of each cake using a palette knife or piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Immediately scatter with rainbow sprinkles before the buttercream sets.

Decorate: Use your icing tubes to pipe dots, swirls, names, or decorative patterns on top of the buttercream for a beautifully finished look.

Enjoy: Store in an airtight tin for up to 3 days. Perfect for parties, picnics, or simply making an ordinary day feel special.