Cupcake Cravings

Last weekend, Mr. Meow said he was craving cupcakes, and then I started having cravings.  Maybe it's because I had my cats whine and he kept saying "aww muffin" but the kitties insisted on "pink cupcakes".  Whatever, cupcakes were craved and then were made, but still no pink cupcakes.

The Offending Kitteh

I didn't make the cupcakes, Mr. Meow did but I squirted the frosting on as I love playing with pastry bags.

Wheat Cupcakes

adapted from JoyofBaking.com

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated white sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Zest of 1 large lemon (optional)

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) stone ground wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (60 ml) milk

Note: Mr. Meow used 1 1/2 cups of wheat flour and it turned out a bit dry.  Adjust your flour amount accordingly.  We live in a dry climate and high altitude and usually our batter needs more moisture.

1. Preheat oven to 350F (177 C)

2. Butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Beat in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.

6. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

7. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour.

8. Fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.

9. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

10. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, decorate with icing.

11. I used a large open star tip to pipe the frosting.

Vanilla frosting and sprinkles

Buttercream Frosting:

2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk or light cream

Assorted food colors (if desired)

3 teaspoons of cocoa powder (for chocolate frosting)

1. In an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and well blended.

2. Add the vanilla extract.

3. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar.

4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

5. Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).

6. Add a little more milk or sugar, if needed.

7. Add the cocoa powder for color and flavor at this point if you want chocolate frosting.

Chocolate frosting with sprinkles

Make about 12 cupcakes

----------------------

Mr. Meow and I finished these eye-a-betes (thanks Zad) on my birthday.  I thought quietly to myself, is this gonna be my birthday cake...a CUPCAKE???  Thankfully (or not), Mr. Meow didn't stick candles in them to make it even more lame.