“It’s not what the cupcake is, but what the cupcake does.”

Cupcakes truly do bring a magical feeling. They are so small, yet have such a blissful impact. They way they look, they way they taste; each bite is just so incredible. They bring a smile to my face every time, whether it’s baking, decorating or eating them. Trying out new recipes, new decorating styles, all fun and smiles. I can never imagine someone frowning while baking, decorating or eating cupcakes. They are somewhat like babies, they make your heart melt and bring a smile to your face.

            I, myself, find every opportunity to make cupcakes. This week I will be sharing my vanilla cupcakes with basic vanilla buttercream frosting and devil’s food cupcakes, also topped with a basic vanilla buttercream frosting. The occasion was my cousins’ 16^th birthday. Yes, I have many cousins! She ordered a blue three-tiered cake, and had a Tinkerbelle theme to her party. So, I decided to make green and blue frosted cupcakes. I posted pictures below, of the cupcakes.

            The recipe and directions for the vanilla cupcakes is,

Ingredients:

·      1 ¾ cups cake flour, not self rising

·      1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

·      2 cups sugar

·      1 table spoon baking powder

·      ¾ teaspoon salt

·      1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes

·      4 large eggs

·      1 cup whole milk

·      1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1.     Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcakes pans with paper liners; set aside. *I used silver paper liners* In a bowl of an electric mixer fitter with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and sale; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.

2.     In a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scrapping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat.

3.     Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake rotating pan halfway through, until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17-20 minutes.

Frosting

Ingredients:

·      1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

·      6-8 cups confectioners sugar

·      ½ cup milk

·      1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1.     In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.  With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, milk and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy. If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach desired consistency.

The recipe for the Devil’s food cupcakes is,

Ingredients:

· 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

· 2 cups granulated sugar

· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1cup hot brewed coffee

· 1/2 cup sour cream

· 1/2 cup vegetable oil

· 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:

1.   For the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line16 muffin cups with liners.

2.   Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot, not simmering, water. Remove the pan from the heat.

3.   Sift the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt together into a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together the hot coffee, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Gradually whisk in the eggs, then stir in the chocolate. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until all the ingredients are smoothly blended.

4.   Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

The same frosting is used for these cupcakes.

Decorating the cupcakes:

Ingredients:

·      Green and blue food colouring

·      Silver balls for decorations

Directions:

1.     Separate the frosting in two bowls, and add 3 drops of each colour in each bowl. Mix well.

2.     Scoop the frosting into pipettes, and move in a circular motion, starting from the center.

3.     Add the silver balls as desired.

Tips: Here is a video I posted in the blog below as well. It teaches you how to use a zip lock freezer bag as a pipette.

I hope you all get a chance to try these. You can mix up the colours and make it according to any theme at a party. Also, please leave comments, suggestions or any questions you may have. I’ll be back again with another cupcake adventure soon. Till then, always remember to, “Do what makes you happy, be with who makes you smile, laugh as much as you breathe, and eat cupcakes as long as you live.”


Sidra

Title quote: http://pizzaandacupcake.com/category/cupcake-quotes/
Vanilla Cupcakes: http://www.marthastewart.com/353205/billys-vanilla-vanilla-cupcakes
Devil's Food Cupcakes:http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Devils-Food-Cupcakes-106037

Basic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: http://www.marthastewart.com/336452/billys-vanilla-buttercream