Baking (Again)

Once again, I am baking out of necessity rather than anger (do you really want Hulk in the kitchen? Think of the mess!). Today I am throwing a surprise baby shower for my friend/coworker (does that make her a co-friend? Bad joke...sorry readers). Now unfortunately (for me anyway) she came into work Monday morning and said she feels like she's about to pop so I had to act quickly. 

Now, not to toot my own horn or anything but...TOOT! I threw together a shower in 3 days flat (hold your applause, please. Pictures and autographs available in the lobby. Tip your waitress.) there is food, there is a plan and there are some damn good cupcakes. 

I'm making one batter for the cakes (vanilla, in case you were wondering) but making two separate buttercreams for some variety. 

Vanilla Cupcakes 

1/2 C flour 

1/2 tbsp baking powder 

1/4 tbsp salt

2 eggs

2/3 C sugar

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted 

2 tbsp vanilla

1/2 C milk

Preheat oven to 350. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, whisk together sugar and egg until foamy and light (about 2 minutes). While mixing, add in the butter and the vanilla in stages. 

After combined, gently mix in half the dry mixture and all the milk, then finish with the rest of the dry ingredients. Once again, DO NOT OVERMIX! 

Portion about 3/4 C into each cupcake liner and bake on center rack for 18-20 minutes rotating halfway through. Do the toothpick trick to test for done-ness. 

Cool completely before frosting. 

Vanilla Buttercream 

3 C confectioners sugar 

1 C butter 

1 tbsp vanilla extract 

1-2 Tbsp whipping cream 

In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix together sugar and butter on low speed until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes. 

Add vanilla and cream and beat for 1 minute. Add more cream if necessary for spreading consistency. 

Now to go the extra creative mile, I'm using blue food coloring to dye the frosting blue because my co-friend is having a baby boy. 

Lemon Buttercream 

So this is totally a cop-out (why is it called that? Has anyone ever wondered?)  but all I'm doing is adding lemon juice and zest to the vanilla buttercream recipe to make it lemon. 

3 C confectioners sugar 

1 C butter 

1 tbsp vanilla extract 

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp lemon zest

1-2 Tbsp whipping cream 

In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix together sugar and butter on low speed until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes. 

Add vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest and cream and beat for 1 minute. Add more cream if necessary for spreading consistency. 

The cupcakes were already rigged in plastic wrap before j remembered to take the picture so that's why it looks funny. 

Who doesn't love cupcakes? The answer is no one. Pretty sure it's not money that makes the world go 'round, it's cupcakes. 

Enjoy readers! And feel free to leave me a comment every once in awhile...seriously...I'd like to know you actually exist...or if you don't...