Vanilla Vanilly

I have been on a lifelong (ok maybe just since college) search for the perfect vanilla cupcake. One that tastes perfect and doesn't dry out seconds after escaping the oven. This one is pretty close, my friends. It is a vanilla bean recipe from Evil Shenanigans that I only slightly tweaked. Try it out for yourself, unless you were one of the lucky space shuttle mission workers that already had a taste complements of JP.



Recipe
Vanilla Vanilly Cupcakes
1 1/4c flour
1t baking powder
1/4t baking soda
1/4t salt
3/4c sugar
1 egg
1 egg white
4T butter, melted and cooled
1/3c buttermilk
1T vanilla bean paste
1t vanilla extract

Frosting:
1 stick butter, softened
1T vanilla bean paste
1t vanilla extract
1/4c milk
powdered sugar

Cupcakes:
Preheat to 325F. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined and lighter in color. Add the eggs and whisk until completely incorporated. Whisk in buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients slowly, until just combined. Scoop batter into cupcake liners using a large cookie scoop (about 2/3 full). Bake for about 14 minutes. Cool completely.

Frosting:
Beat butter until smooth. Mix in vanilla bean, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. Add powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved.

I also made a orange frosting and mocha chocolate frosting for those that don't like their cupcakes plain Jane. The orange ones just subbed in orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice for the vanilla bean paste. The chocolate added cocoa and espresso powder. Enjoy!