Simple Vanilla Cupcakes

This is my simple vanilla cupcake recipe that I often bake for my family and friends. These cupcakes are very moist and fluffy and are perfect for parties or any celebrations.  Frost them and decorate these cupcakes as you like. 

(Makes 15-18 standard sized cupcakes)

Ingredients

For the cupcakes 

(Make sure all ingredients are in room temperature)

120g salted butter (softened) 

115g sugar

2 large eggs 

115g all purpose flour 

1 tsp vanilla essence 

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp milk

For the buttercream frosting 

100g salted butter (softned)

50g vegetable shortening (crisco)

450g Icing sugar (sifted)

1/4 tsp vanilla powder

1 tbsp milk

1 tbsp condensed milk (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. (the oven should be hot when you put the cupcakes)
2. Prepare a cupcake pan lined with cupcake liners. 
3. Sift flour+baking powder together and keep it aside. 
4. Beat butter and sugar well until creamy. 
5. Add one egg at a time and beat well until the batter becomes fluffy.
6. Then add the sifted flour and fold with a spatula until combined.( Do not beat, fold it)
7. Finally add the vanilla essence to the milk and mix it with the cake batter. Mix well or fold with a spatula until combined. (do not beat ) 
8. Scoop the batter evenly to the cupcake pan and tap it twice to release any air bubbles. (Fill only 2/3 rd of the mould. Use an icecream scoop to put the batter for more even cupcakes) 
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes under 180 degree Celsius. 
10. Meanwhile make the buttercream frosting. Beat butter, vanilla, and condensed milk together and add icing sugar little at a time. Beat well. Finally add the milk and beat well. Put the frosting in to a piping bag with a nozzle fitted in. 
11. Once the cupcakes are baked, let it cool completely.
12. Frost the cupcakes to desired design and decorate with sprinkles. Enjoy!

Notes:

The nozzle used to frost the cupcakes were Wilton 1M. 

Cupcakes can be stored in room temperature for 2 days and if you are living in a warm climate, refrigerate them up to 5 days. 

Cupcakes taste better 1 day after frosting them.