Pretty Vanilla Cupcakes

Today was the most stunning day in Melbourne, where not a leaf made the slightest movement and the sky was a sea of blue. This weather made my friends and I go on a little picnic and whilst conjuring a recipe for the picnic, I thought that nothing is more fitting for a bunch of girly girls than a little vanilla cupcake.  I remembered this amazing recipe that I stumbled across a couple of weeks ago in one of my online shopping sessions on Modcloth, so I dug it out,  played with the recipe and altered it to my biased taste buds and they were definitely a hit.

They’re just the perfect treat for girls that adore pretty, little things and the icing is truly to die for. Even the thought of writing about them is making me crave another one!

Vanilla Cake

1½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, softened

¾ cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean, seeded and hull discarded

½ cup + 2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line cupcake pan with papers. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until lightened in colour and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla bean seeds and vanilla extract.

Add flour, mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. When completely incorporated, divide batter evenly amongst liners, filling them 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, being sure to check them at the 15 minute mark. Cool completely before frosting.

Creamy Vanilla Icing

120g unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups confectioner’s (icing) sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat softened butter and confectioner’s sugar together on low speed in the bowl of a stand mixer. Gradually increase speed until powdered sugar is absorbed and frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Add vanilla and beat well for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag and with a large tip, pipe onto cupcakes.

References:

Heather Baird, SprinkleBakes.com

Modcloth.com