Easy Vanilla Cupcakes

Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Over the weekend, Harper had a playdate. She wanted to make and decorate cupcakes, and she really wanted to use the Funfetti cake mix.

After a few minutes of arguing back and forth and hemming and hawing, I finally convinced her that we should bake the cupcakes from scratch. "They'll be so much tastier and healthier", I told her.

This is my favorite cupcake recipe. The cupcakes are light and airy and turn out perfectly smooth on the top. Once you try this recipe, you will never go back to a box mix.


Easy Vanilla Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 lb. butter (1 stick), softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar (use 3/4 cup if you want a sweeter cupcake)*
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
For the icing:
  • 2 oz. butter, softened
  • 3 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp. milk
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 dash of salt
* I use 1/2 cup of sugar since the icing will sweeten the cupcake.

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a muffin tin with paper cups or spray the tin with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

4. Add the pure vanilla extract to the milk.

5. In 3 batches, add the flour mixture. Beat. Add milk. Beat. Add flour. Beat. Continue until all ingredients are added and well combined.

6. Pour batter into muffin cups and fill 2/3 of the cup.

7. Bake for 16-18 minutes.

8. Remove from muffin tin and place on a wire rack to cool.

9. Prepare the icing by creaming the 2 oz. of butter in a bowl with a hand mixer. Add the remaining ingredients and mix for about 4 minutes.

10. Either spread the icing on the cupcakes or place in a bag fitted with a frosting tip and pipe the icing on to the cupcakes.

Having a few good baking tools will insure success. Here are a few of my favorites:

A fun apron is a must!

Sur La Table Muffin/Cupcake Pan - $25

KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Mixer - $49

Cupcake Liners and Picks - $10

Collapsible Mixing Bowl - $20

Silicone Spatula - $12

1 comment

Unknown said...

I made them and they are delicious! Everyone that taste them loved them!