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Vanilla Bean Cupcakes and the Perfect Buttercream…

November 14, 2011 by Audra 37 Comments

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First of all- I got an extreme home makeover! Well not me, but my blog, (though I sure would love one.) I am so thrilled with how it turned out and I hope you guys like it too. My designer Shay Bocks, is outstanding and I highly recommend her!

Now, about these cuppy cakes. (The little girl Alice I babysit for calls them that and I think it’s the cutest.) I know I’ve posted a few Vanilla cupcake recipes before, but that doesn’t mean I’ve found the one. And since the bodega on my block starting selling Vanilla Beans, I’ve been meaning to try this recipe. I also have been in the process of figuring out the right proportions for creating my “perfect” buttercream and this is definitely it.

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The formula is something like this: 2 sticks of butter softened and beat with an electric mixer until it is creamy and pale (about 3 minutes.) Then 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, (I’ve often used way more and I think that explains buttercream that was on the grainy side.) At this point the mixture will be thick and dense and it’s the right time to add any liquids or flavoring (Lemon Juice and Zest for Lemon Buttercream, Vanilla beans and extract for this frosting, or even Peppermint Extract.) If the mixture is still too thick, I add milk or cream a tablespoon at a time until it is just creamy enough. So far it has been fail proof! The frosting is perfect for piping, spreading, filling etc. Hooray! I’ve been on this quest for awhile it seems…

I brought these deliciously moist cupcakes to my good friend Hiba’s baby shower this past weekend. I have known Hiba and her sister Enaas since I was 16 and Enaas and I worked at the Gap at the local mall. (Best discount ever.) Since then, Hiba moved to NYC and we reconnected, started our book club and now she’s having a baby girl! I had lots of fun helping Enaas with her big Sister’s shower, and I got a chance to take a try at some fun DIY projects as well. (After incessant “pinning” of craft ideas on Pintrest, it’s nice to actually do something crafty right?)

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*Note: The original recipe had comments about the liners peeling off the cupcakes and the same thing actually happened to me. I think this is because we stored them in an airtight container and there was too much moisture. These cakes are anything but dry which is great, but the humidity in the tupperware caused the liners to peel. I recommend leaving the container slightly ajar or just cover them with tin foil or something else that isn’t air-tight!
 
Print
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes and the Perfect Buttercream…
Yield: 30 cupcakes or 60 minis
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 16 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1¼ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
  • 2 sticks of butter softened
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2-6 tablespoons of milk or cream
  • Yield: approximately 30 cupcakes (Or 60+minis)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and set aside. Add the butter to a large bowl. Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the bowl with the butter and discard the pod (or stick it in your sugar canister like I do.) Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and creamy in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for one more minute.
  3. Add the sugar to the butter mixture, ¼ cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
  4. Divide the batter between the prepared paper liners, filling each about ⅔ of the way full. Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Replace paper liners and bake remaining batter if desired.
For Frosting:
  1. Beat Butter and scraped out vanilla bean with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, (about 3 minutes.) Add the powdered sugar and beat well until mixture is thick and almost paste like. Add extract and 1 tablespoon of milk/cream. Beat well. Slowly add more milk 1 spoon at a time if you think your frosting is too thick or dry. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.
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Cupcake Recipe: Annie’s Eats via Confessions of a Foodie Bride

Filed Under: Cupcakes, Life, Recipes Tagged With: Vanilla, Vanilla Bean

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Comments

  1. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Your bloggie makeover looks great and so does those cupcakes. I adore buttercream..yum!

    Reply
  2. Cupcake Crazy Gem says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Yum! I have been on the lookout for a vanilla bean cupcake and frosting recipe for a while, can’t wait to try this one! and I LOVE your blog makeover! so cute

    Reply
  3. Tina says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    These do look tasty and who would not want a perfect butter cream recipe! You have been a busy bee, baking and crafting. Great makeover and congrats to your friend Hilda.

    Reply
  4. Jay Geneske @ Local Me says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I love that your bodega starting selling vanilla beans.

    Reply
  5. Grubarazzi says

    November 14, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Your new blog is so adorable and perfect for you. I also am in dire need of one of these perfect little cupcakes. Darlink.

    Reply
  6. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    November 14, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    The blog is wonderful looking, and those cupcakes look scrumptious.

    Reply
  7. healthyfoodietravels says

    November 14, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Gorgeous cupcakes! How on earth do you make your butter cream look that perfect?

    Reply
  8. Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I LOVE the new makeover! Total cuteness! I also love these cupcakes. When I get the chance I love using real vanilla beans. My fingers also smell so good afterwards!

    Reply
  9. RavieNomNoms says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    The makeover is awesome! She seems really talented!

    Your cupcakes just look divine! How delicious!

    Reply
  10. Sandra says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Beautiful post, Audra! Looks like baby shower was awesome, and cupcakes so tasty!!! Nicely done!!

    Reply
  11. nicole {sweet peony} says

    November 14, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    LOVE the makeover! so cute! and your cuppy cakes look so fun & perfect for the baby shower!

    Reply
  12. Lacy says

    November 14, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Adorable makeover! The cupcakes are gorgeous and they sound absolutely amazing! Your friend must have loved these! Yummmm!!

    Reply
  13. Sandra says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Love the new look and thanks big time for the buttercream recipe. Those specks of vanilla bean look so yummy!

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    November 14, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    These look amazing! So cute and perfect for a shower. Congrats on the engagement by the way. I saw that quickly the other day. Great makeover too!

    Reply
  15. Amalia says

    November 15, 2011 at 1:32 am

    These look so cute! I’m also loving the sound of your buttercream, it looks great! And your makeover is lovely as well :)

    Reply
  16. Ann says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:20 am

    Stunning cup cakes and the blog looks amazing!

    Reply
  17. Daksha says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:32 am

    Those looks divine! Great job :) must buzzzed for ur recipe. if u like plz join me on fb http://www.facebook.com/people/Vegetarian-Cooking-Diarys/100002691309744

    Reply
  18. warmvanillasugar says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:45 am

    These are so freaking pretty!

    Reply
  19. Baker Street says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    great job on the makeover! the cupcakes look stunning! perfect way to celebrate! :)

    Reply
  20. Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen says

    November 16, 2011 at 12:20 am

    I just discovered your blog, and I am now totally in love with it! I don’t know what your site looked like before, but the design is really cute. I’m looking to redesign mine soon and I bookmarked Shay Bocks page to contact as soon as my budget allows!

    These cupcakes look delicious – I love using vanilla beans instead of just extract!

    Reply
  21. Sandra says

    November 16, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    Congratulations on Top 9!

    Reply
  22. jag says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Heloo…

    Delicious recipe…
    I will make these cup cakes for Children In Need Charity…
    Just one small request..if you could give the measurements in oz/gms it would be very helpful. We here in UK would not know how much is one stick of butter or one cup of flour!!
    I will wait for the exact measurements before I try these cakes..
    Well done on foodbuzz top 9 :)

    Reply
  23. Audra says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    @jag- thanks for your interest in the recipe!
    Unfortunately I know just as little about the grams/cups conversions as you do. I am sure that there is a way to easily convert them though- I’d just google it :)

    Reply
  24. Ally says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    These are absolutely perfect. Thanks for the recipe! Yum.
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com

    Reply
  25. Chrissy @ [email protected] says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    These are perfect! I bet Hiba appreciated these on her special day!

    Reply
  26. london bakes says

    November 18, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Shay just made over my blog too – isn’t she the best? Your site looks super cute.

    Reply
  27. Anonymous says

    November 23, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    It doesn’t say what to do with the grapefruit Churd? Do i put it inside the cupcakes and if so, how?

    Reply
  28. Audra says

    November 23, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    Re: the above comment: I am assuming you are referring to the Champagne Cupcakes? I will edit the recipe to make I more clear!

    Reply
  29. Jen says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Those cupcakes are adorable!

    Reply
  30. Ally Van Pelt says

    January 14, 2012 at 8:07 am

    These see

    Reply
  31. spooner says

    August 24, 2012 at 12:25 am

    Best buttercream ever, period, I mean. Didn’t make the cupcakes, but made the frosting and it’s phenomally good.

    Reply
  32. Chris says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:10 am

    Hi! I’m going to try this recipe this weekend but just one question: did you have enough icing for all the cupcakes or did you have to double the icing recipe? Thanks and love your website:) congrats on your marriage as well!!

    Reply
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  36. Olivia says

    January 6, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    made this frosting recently and it was so good and easy to make!! i didn’t have a vanilla bean but just added some extra vanilla extract and it was still delicious :) love your recipes!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Chocolate “Easter Nest” Cupcakes says:
    March 15, 2013 at 7:01 am

    […] think these Vanilla Cupcakes would also be great with coconut nests or even better- Carrot Cupcakes! (Lucky for you I am sharing […]

    Reply

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