vanilla cupcakes:I use this recipe to make a standard vanilla sponge cake too
220gms2 sticks of butter at room temperature
2cups/400gms granulated sugar
4large free-range eggs at room temperature
3cups/360gm cake flour flour
2tspbaking powder
1tspvanilla extract
1cup/ 250ml milk
vanilla buttercream:
5.5cupsicing sugar
270gms butter at room temperature
1/4cupmilk
2tspvanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (350 F)
ream the sugar and the butter in an electric mixer until light and fluffy
Add each egg one at a time, mixing well after each addition * TIP: I always break the egg in a small separate bowl in case any shell breaks off you can fish it out before adding to the mix
Its almost impossible to overmix at this stage - so I let it go until the mixture has become very light and fluffy
In another bowl sift together the flour and baking powder
Turn the mixer to a low setting and slowly add the milk and flour in 3 parts, allowing it to blend a bit before adding the next bit
Do not over-mix! I literally mix until all the ingredients are just combined
Scrape down the bowl with a spatula and mix by hand a few turns to get it all in
I use an ice cream scoop which makes this step so much easier. Scoop the batter into muffin pans that have been lined with paper cups. You want to fill the liner to roughly 3/4 of the way up
Bake for 20 minutes until the cupcakes are just turning golden brown
Allow to cool on the pan before removing to decorate
To make the icing:
Place all the icing ingredients into a bowl and mix on medium to high until it becomes white and fluffy.
Notes
Leftover cupcakes can be stored in a sealed container for 3 - 4 days.