Method (cupcakes)

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees c fan and line two cupcake tin with cupcake cases.
2. In a small bowl, combine the dairy-free milk with the apple cider vinegar and whisk until fully combined. Set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This creates a vegan ‘buttermilk’.
3. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and spice. Mix well to combine.
4. Add the oil to the ‘buttermilk’ and whisk to combine.
5. Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until a smooth batter.
6. Fill the cases 3/4 full with the batter. Make sure to tap the tins on the worktop to remove any air bubbles.
7. Pop the cakes into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You will know they are done when you put a knife or skewer in and it comes out clean and they are springy to the touch.
8. Place the cupcakes on a cooling rack and allow to cool fully.
9. Once cool, core the centre and fill up with mincemeat then pop them into a sealed container to keep them fresh before frosting.

Method (buttercream)

1. Cream the butter in a bowl, on a high speed until creamy. I use my stand mixer with the balloon whisk attachment.
2. When your butter/margarine is creamy & light in colour, add in the icing sugar, vanilla bean paste and mincemeat. Whizz together until fluffy & fully combined. Add a splash of milk if the buttercream is too thick.
3. Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large round nozzle.
4. Pipe a bulb of buttercream onto each cupcake and top off with some mincemeat, a star and a dusting of icing sugar.

Method (pastry stars)

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees c fan and line a baking tray with grease proof paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the plain flour, coconut oil and maple syrup. Bring together with your hands until a dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough then using a small star cookie cutter, cut out the stars and place onto the lined tray.
4. Pop into the oven and bake for 9-10 minutes or until golden in colour. Allow to cool before placing on the cakes.
5. Place a star on top of the buttercream and finish off the cupcakes with a dusting of icing sugar.