Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe for a Weekend Party.

I'm going to a party this Saturday and everyone is to bring a dish. I decided to make Vanilla Cupcakes with pink butter cream frosting. I have made these cupcakes several times and they taste very good and are not too sweet.

(Recipe credit: joyofbaking.com)

Ingredients:

Vanilla Cupcakes (makes around 12):
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Zest of 1 large lemon (optional)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Buttercream Frosting:
2 cups confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk or light cream
Assorted food colors (if desired)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

For the Cupcakes:
1. Cream 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 and lemon zest.

2. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the butter and egg mixture, along with the milk, and beat until combined.

3. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with icing. If you want flat topped cupcakes then slice off the dome of each cupcake, with a sharp knife, before frosting.
For the Frosting:
1. In an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract.

2. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add a little more milk or sugar, if needed.

3. Tint the frosting with desired food color (I use the paste food coloring that is available at cake decorating stores and party stores).

4. Make sure cupcakes are cool before applying frosting. Apply frosting with a spatula or pipe directly on.