A blog by Cameron and Shannon

It’s been 3 weeks since I bought anything!!!

Today I would like to buy a miniature wirehaired dachshund puppy. Have you seen those guys lately?

Now, on with the cupcakes!

This recipe is from the Magnolia Bakery of New York fame, via the “More From Magnolia” Cookbook. There are recipes for chocolate and vanilla, but vanilla have been the bigger hit by far, so I’ll post that recipe.

• 1 1/2 cups self rising flour
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners. Combine flours and set aside. In a large bowl (or, if you are me, in your electric mixer bowl), on medium speed, cream butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. The book says this should take about 3 minutes and that is VERY IMPORTANT in order to get the right consistency. Don’t argue, people, these are cupcakes and they are Serious.

Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix the milk and vanilla together in your measuring cup. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. Each time, beat until everything is just incorporated - don’t over beat. Scrape the batter down into the bowl to make sure everything is mixed well. Spoon batter into cupcake liners, filling about 3/4 full. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Cool for 15 minutes in pan, then move to cooling rack and cool completely before icing.

Icing:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6-8 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On medium speed of electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Add remaining sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well (2 minutes) after each addition, until you get a good spreading consistency. You may not need all the sugar (I did). If you want, add a few drops of food coloring.

Trust me, make these for your friends and coworkers and they will think you are the best cook ever. Add sprinkles on top of the icing and they will also think you are a master decorator.

That’s all for today, I have some turning 25 to do! See you after the weekend!