Recipe of the Week: One-Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes

As you know, I am still searching for the perfect vanilla cupcake recipe.  I found a one-bowl type recipe to share today.  It turned out pretty good, but is a little dense and pound-cakey for me.  I prefer a delicate texture and crumb for a vanilla cupcake, but this one has excellent vanilla flavor. 

The Non-Blonde

One-Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare yourcupcake pan with liners. Combine all ingredients in a food processor with the blade attachment. Fill cupcake liners halfway full.

 Bake for 12-15 minutes, checking frequently after 10 minutes.


Vanilla Frosting

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Experimenting with Minis

My friend Shelly went to Mexico a few weeks ago and brought me some fresh vanilla beans. What else could I do but experiment with vanilla mini cupcakes?  I made the cupcakes and some vanilla and chocolate buttercream frosting. I had some decorations left over from a Sprinkles cupcake mix I bought at Williams-Sonoma last fall....instant minis!

Vanilla minis with vanilla buttercream

My version of the black & white cookie

Black & White minis

Recipe of the Week - Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes

Week 46

I went to see Sex and the City 2 last night and it was Fab-u-Luss! There was a scene where Charlotte was baking cupcakes and wearing a super cute cupcake apron. Of course, the scene that put cupcake bakeries on the map was from the HBO series - Carrie eating a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery.

To celebrate the opening weekend of the movie and vanilla cupcakes....here is the recipe from Magnolia Bakery!

Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups Self-Rising flour
1 1/4 All-Purpose flour
1 cup butter - softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs - room temperature
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare cupcake pans with liners.  Combine flours and set aside.

Cream butter and add sugar gradually.  Beat until fluffy (about 3 minutes).  Add eggs, one at a time.  Add dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with milk and vanilla.  Do not overbeat.  Fill liners 3/4 full.  Bake for 20 minutes - checking frequently after 15 minutes. Cool completely.


Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Buttercream


1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

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.

Happy National Vanilla Cupcake Day!

Celebrate today with a vanilla cupcake...and vanilla buttercream of course!