Friday 1 May 2009

Vanilla Cupcakes ~ Sweet and Simple Bake!


The time has come again to show case our monthly bake over at Sweet and Simple Bakes and this month Rosie presented us with this absolutely adorable recipe for Vanilla Cupcakes! It seems cupcakes are all the rage and the “new black”, they’re hip and retro and who could resist a frosting-laced cute and delicious cupcake! I had so much fun making these and anything involving luscious pastel coloured buttercream and sprinkles gets my vote. These cupcakes are an all-in-one method, making them quick and easy to make. I am looking forward to another great round-up and can’t wait to see everyone’s cupcakes! Please pop over to Sweet and Simple Bakes to view more cupcake entries.


Vanilla Cupcakes + Buttercream + Sprinkles = Love

Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes 12

Ingredients
175g (6 oz) self-raising flour
1½ level tsp baking powder
175g (6 oz) butter, softened
175g (6 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
3 large eggs
2 tbsp tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Buttercream Frosting:
150g (5oz) butter, softened
300g (11 oz) icing (confectioners) sugar, sifted
1 tbsp milk
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Edible food colouring(s) of choice, optional
Sprinkle(s) for decoration of choice

You will also require 12 holed muffin tin lined with 12 paper muffin cases

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan oven 160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder into a large bowl, and then add the butter, caster sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Beat together until well mixes, trying not to over mix the mixture. Spoon the mixture equally into the prepared paper cases and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then turn out to completely cool on a wire rack.

To make the buttercream, beat the butter until soft. Add the icing sugar and stir until it’s just mixed in, then add the milk and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Divide into as many bowls as you want different colour(s) and add edible food colouring (you only require a few drops). This is purely optional should you wish to leave out the edible food colouring(s) and keep the buttercream natural. Spread the icing on thickly with a palette knife on top of each cupcake or put the icing into a piping back and make a large swirl on top of each cupcake. Decorate each cupcake with your chosen sprinkle(s).

25 comments:

Sally said...

So very pretty Maria. Just love the pastel colours.

The Girl said...

Ha they look great and so much daintier and neater than my hulking big things!

Looking forward to this month's challenge already :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria

Its Kirsty and Ann Marie at the reception of 12 Arthur Street. We would just like to say a MASSIVE thanks for all the times you have sent us cakes in with Adrian. They are always absolutely fantastic and we LOVE them!!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Heather said...

What very pretty cupcakes - the pastels are just right for springtime.

Ivy said...

Wow, they look perfect and the girls at Arthur street are very lucky.

Sophie said...

So pretty! I love the soft pastel color of the frosting :).

Caroline said...

Love the fact that all your cupcakes have different decorations Maria! They all look fab!

Reeni said...

Those are so pretty, Maria!! They scream Spring!

The Caked Crusader said...

Love the pastel shades - they look scrumptious!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

What pretty cupcakes!

Uma said...

ooh, sooo pretty cupcakes. You've decorated them so well. Looks yum :)

Illona said...

Hi Maria,

You have really nice sprinkles in your stash! Great looking cupcakes!

♥Rosie♥ said...

Awe your cupcakes are just gorgeous Maria. I adore the very pretty pastel colours and the sprinkles are beautiful.

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

very beautiful cup cakes... I made them too...

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

These are so pretty! I really love the colours you have used. I will have to try this recipe out.

natalia said...

Ciao ! I love your delicious cupcakes ! Very professional !

Arundathi said...

Love the toppings and the colors - perfect for spring!

Maria said...

I love the pastel colors. So pretty!

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

sooo pretty :)

Maggie said...

These are lovely girlie cupcakes Maria - I just love them.

Katiecakes said...

Oh, the pastel colours are fab! So pretty, swooooon!!

Katie xox

Nickki said...

Gorgeous cakes!

Maria♥ said...

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments!

Maria
x

Photographer Sydney said...

are those cupcakes design of yours edible?

Maria♥ said...

Photographer Sydney, I only make food that IS edible! So, yes my cupcake designs are edible. Why do you ask?