Recipe of the Year - Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Week 24

This week we honor 2009 with the most-Googled cupcake recipe of the year....vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting!

Vanilla Cupcakes

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

2 cups confectioners sugar-sifted
1/2 cup unsalted butter-room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk or light cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and lemon zest.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20.  Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with vanilla buttercream.