Cupcake Creations Small Bites, Big Delights

Cupcakes are delightful miniature cakes often topped with colorful frosting .They continue to be a beloved dessert enjoyed in various forms and flavors worldwide. They remain a versatile and convenient treat suitable for both everyday indulgence and special occasions. You can always add your favorite frosting or decorations to customize them to your liking. This recipe makes approximately 12 cupcakes.

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

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

For the Frosting (Optional):

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Food coloring (if desired)

Instructions:

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the Oven:

1. • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:

1. • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.

1. Cream Butter and Sugar:

1. • In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.

1. Add Eggs and Vanilla:

1. • Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.

1. Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk:

1. • Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
   • Pour in the milk and mix until the batter is smooth and well mixed, but be careful not to overmix.

1. Fill Cupcake Liners:

1. • Use a scoop or spoon to evenly distribute the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

1. Bake:

1. • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.

1. Cool:

1. • Allow the cupcakes to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting (Optional):

1. Beat Butter:

1. • In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy and smooth.

1. Add Powdered Sugar:

1. • Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.

1. Add Vanilla and Milk:

1. • Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. If the frosting is too thick, you can add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

1. Decorate:

1. • Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, you can pipe or spread the frosting onto the cupcakes. You can also add food coloring or decorations as desired.

1. Serve:

1. • Enjoy your homemade vanilla cupcakes!

Feel free to get creative with your cupcakes by adding sprinkles, chocolate chips, or other toppings to the batter before baking, or by using different frosting flavors and decorations