Preheat oven to 180°C/ 160°C (fan forced) and line a baking tray with cupcake cases

Place margarine into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy and pale in colour. Add sugar slowly until well combined

Add the eggs very slowly one after the other. Add the vanilla essence and beat until all ingredients are well combined

Sift flour and baking powder, add half to the margarine mixture with half the milk, mix until well combined and repeat by adding the remaining flour, baking powder and milk

Fill cupcake cases to 3/4 full, place into the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, insert a skewer into the middle of a cupcake if it comes out clean the cupcakes are ready

Transfer to a cooling rack and set aside to cool completely

For the icing, beat the margarine until pale and smooth. Add the milk and half the icing sugar and a few drops of food colouring. Beat until well combined.

Add remaining icing sugar and beat to a light and fluffy with a spreadable texture

Spread the icing onto the cold cupcakes and serve