Beat the butter and caster sugar together until soft and white. Gradually add eggs, food colouring and vanilla essence.
Sieve the flour and cocoa powder together
Gently fold both the flour and milk into the beaten butter, a little of each until mixed, taking care not to ‘overwork’ the mixture.
Fill Patty Pans with mixture between half and three quarters each (see Chefs Tip).
Bake for 15-18 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven. Check after 12 minutes by inserting a skewer into a cupcake. When the skewer is clean, the cupcakes are cooked
When cooked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool for five minutes. Then carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a cooling rack.
Notes
Fill Patty Pans half way to get an even flat shape or fill three quarters the way up to get a dome shape.