Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Frosting

This is such a tasty dessert and is  definitely my favorite. This vanilla cupcake is great but even better with a classic lemon frosting. Cupcakes are super easy to make and they taste good all year round. I like to play with different flavors too. Food Network kitchen made this tasty cupcake recipe. Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line one standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3.  In the bowl of a mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until light and foamy. Beat for at least 2 minutes. 
4. Next, pour in the melted butter and then the vanilla.
5. While mixing slowly, add half of the flour mixture into the bowl. Then, add the milk followed by the remaining flour mixture. Be careful to not overmix the batter.
6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool for at least 10 minutes before frosting.

FROSTING:

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (may need more. Up to 4 tablespoons to get a good texture.)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
2. Next, add the vanilla and milk. Keep adding milk to reach desired consistency 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Then, once the frosting has reached a satisfied consistency, add in the lemon and mix well. 
4. Finally, frost the cupcakes. You could even top the cupcakes with something such as berries or mint. I topped mine with some blueberries. Enjoy!

Thanks for baking with me!

~ Natalie