Vincenzo and I made these cupcakes to celebrate the last day of school. It has taken much too long to get this post up. But alas, school is out and I spend most of my days not seeing straight.
This Joy of Baking recipe was quite good. It resulted in 12 yummy, bakery-quality cupcakes. I could have passed on the rather Smurfy, blue on blue theme but Sir Vincenzo is almost 5 and very insistent.
Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream – Blue Food Coloring Optional
from Joy of Baking
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, 18 – 20 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost and decorate.
Frosting
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. light cream
Assorted food colors (if desired)
In an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add cream and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add a little more cream or sugar, if needed. Tint the frosting with desired food color.
Makes about 12 cupcakes
No comments yet.