Eton mess cupcakes

I know Valentines day isn't everyone's cup of tea and to be honest it isn't really mine. I cannot be dealing with over the top shows of affection, not me at all! Instead I'm much more of a 'token' person. My boyfriend normally makes me a CD and buys dinner and I like to bake him something in cute little heart cupcake cases, purely because it gives me an excuse to buy them. He's an eton mess fan so last year I made him eton mess cupcakes, they are as good as they sound! They can be a little bit of effort (making the strawberry sauce) but that was all part of the fun for me and made me feel like a domestic goddess (which isn't a way I'd normally describe myself). Even if I do say so myself, they taste great, if you're not making them for val day, just make them! I don't know whether or not to go for the tried and true eton mess cupcake again this year or broaden my baking horizons a bit further? Any ideas? Let me know if you try them! I followed this recipe here. The silcone heart shaped cases are from M&S!

For the cupcakes

• 125 g Golden caster sugar
• 125 g margarine
• 125 g self-raising flour
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Red food colouring, optional
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste or 3 drops of vanilla essence

For the buttercream

• 100 g butter
• 220 g icing sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla essence

For the strawberry sauce

• 15 strawberries
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar

To decorate

• 1-2 meringue, crumbled
• strawberries

LUCILLEX