Simple Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Delicious cupcakes for any day of the week!
Simple Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
Cupcakes:
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 x-large eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup skim milk
Frosting:
4 ounces regular cream cheese
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3 tablespoons unsweetened good quality cocoa powder
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
For the Cupcakes
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed for several minutes until light and fluffy
Add eggs, one at a time, beating on medium speed after each one
Add vanilla and beat until combined; scrape sides of bowl with a spatula and beat batter for another minute
Add half of flour mixture and turn mixer on low speed just until combined; add milk and mix on low until incorporated; add remaining flour and mix on low for one minute
Remove bowl from mixer and use a spatula to fold any unincorporated dry ingredients into the batter
Divide batter evenly among cups (a cookie dough scoop or small ladle can be helpful); bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from center of cupcakes
Allow cupcakes to cool for several minutes before removing from pan; allow to cool completely prior to frosting
For the Frosting
Beat cream cheese on high speed with an electric mixer until smooth
Add butter and beat until light and creamy; scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and beat for another minute
Add cocoa powder and mix on low speed until combined
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix on low speed until combined; scrape the sides of the bowl again and beat on high speed until icing is light and fluffy
Distribute frosting evenly among cupcakes
Note: this recipe is explicitly "Adapted from the Joy the Baker Cookbook"