step 1
Pre-heat oven to 180ºC/350F/Gas Mark 4. Place cupcake cases into a muffin tin.
step 2
Sieve the flour, mixed spice, ground ginger, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.
step 3
Make a well in the centre and add the syrup, treacle, eggs, oil, milk, zest and carrot. Beat well with electric whisk until smooth.
step 4
Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases (approx 2 tbsps to each case or about 1/3 full) and bake for approx 30 minutes until well risen and no mixture is left on a skewer when inserted into the centre. Remove from oven and turn out onto a cooling rack.
step 5
For the butter icing add softened butter, icing sugar, vanilla extract and 1 tbsp of milk to a bowl. Mix with electric whisk until smooth. Check consistency and add more milk if needed and beat to achieve a smooth creamy texture. Pipe onto cupcakes when they are cool. Decorate with chopped crystallised ginger sprinkled onto icing.
step 6
Other ingredients can be added such as walnuts and sultanas subject to individual preference.