CUPCAKES:

 

Making cupcakes is a delightful and relatively simple process. Below is a basic recipe for making delicious vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting. This recipe yields around 12 cupcakes.

Vanilla Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three batches, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
• 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream to the frosting mixture. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk or cream, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
4. Assembling the Cupcakes:
5. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, you can frost them using a piping bag and your favorite decorating tip or simply spread the frosting on top with a knife. You can also add sprinkles or other decorations for a finishing touch.                                                                    Now you have a delicious batch of homemade cupcakes ready to enjoy! Feel free to get creative with different flavors, fillings, and decorations to make them even more special. Enjoy!