1. Preheat oven to 180 C. Place muffin papers in to cupcake baking trays.
2. Place margarine into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy and pale in colour. Add sugar slowly until well combined.
3. Add the eggs very slowly one after the other. Add the vanilla essence and beat until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Sift flour and baking powder, add half to the margarine mixture with half the milk, mix until well combined. Repeat by adding the remaining flour, baking powder and milk.
5. Fill papers 3/4 full, place into the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. To test, insert a skewer into the middle of a cupcake. If it comes out clean the cupcakes are ready.
6. Transfer to a cooling rack and set aside to cool completely.
7. For the icing, cream the margarine until pale and smooth.
8. Add the milk and half the icing sugar and a few drops of food colouring. Beat until well combined then add the remaining icing sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
9. Spread the icing onto the cold cupcakes and serve.

Tip: If the icing is too thin add a little more icing sugar, if it is too firm add more milk.