Vanilla Cupcakes

 These are without a doubt, the yummiest, most addictive cupcake you will ever try!  For those of you who are fans of Sex and the City, these are the cupcakes that Carrie and Miranda munch away on, whilst sitting outside The Magnolia Bakery, discussing Carrie’s newfoundman Aidan!  These are the quintessential make-me-feel-good-sugar-high treat…make them…you won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients Cupcakes:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups self raising flour
• 1 1/4 cups plain flour
• 1 cup milk (any-type will do but skimmed produces the lightest cupcakes)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients Vanilla Buttercream

• 1 cup unsalted butter (very soft)
• 8 cups icing sugar (sifted)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Makes around 24 cupcakes.

Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius (around 150 degrees Celsius for fan ovens).  Line 2, 12 cup muffins pans with cupcake papers.

In a large bowl beat the butter using an electric whisk until softened.  Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Combine the flours and add in four parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla extract, beating well after each addition.  Spoon the batter into the lined muffin pans about three quarters full.  Bake until the top springs back when lightly touched around 20-22 mins (10-15 mins for fan ovens).  Remove the cupcakes from the pans and allow to cool completely on a rack before icing.

To make the icing place the butter, milk, vanilla extract and 4 cups of the flour in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk until well combined.  Add the rest of the icing sugar one cup at a time until you reach a good spreading consistency (you may not need all of the icing sugar).  If desired add a few drops of food colouring and beat in.  Spread or pipe the icing onto the cupcakes.  Top each cupcake with coloured sprinkles, chocolate vermicelli, jelly beans or whatever you like!

Note that the recipe uses the American cup measurement system.  1 cup equals 250ml. 

Variation:To make the cupcake cones in the picture, cover the outside of around 20 flat based icecream wafer cones with foil paper and place these in the muffin pans.  Spoon the cupcake batter into the cones about three quarters full.  These take a little longer to bake and you will need to use a skewer to make sure they are well baked right through.  Ice as normal.  These are a little more trouble to make but are ideal for children’s parties..well worth seeing their little faces light up at the idea of cupcake cones!