Vanilla Cupcakes for a Children’s Birthday Party

Vanilla Cupcakes for a Children's Party

By Rachel Howard on 05/18/2014

A simple vanilla sponge topped with a smooth and creamy vanilla frosting.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 10

Happy Sunday! These deliciously simple vanilla cupcakes look great and taste delicious.

I have had a lovely weekend – after a sad few weeks it was great to get out and about with friends and the weather has been amazing. On Saturday morning I set about baking 36 bright vanilla cupcakes for a child’s birthday party. It was lovely to make something so colourful and all before 11am!

This recipe is taken from the Hummingbird Bakery.

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3.
• Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined.
• Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.
• Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula).
• Continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the mixture is smooth. Do not overmix.
• Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until light golden and the sponge bounces back when touched.

Method:

• Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed.
• Turn the mixer down to slow speed. Combine the milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture a couple of tablespoons at a time. Once all the milk has been incorporated, turn the mixer up to high speed.
• Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. The longer the frosting is beaten, the fluffier and lighter it becomes.

To mix the different colours I split the frosting between some bowls. I then added a few drops of Wilton food gel to each bowl and mixed well by hand. I then sprinkled on some edible glitter, stars and hundreds and thousands, but you can add anything you like!

I love the way these look – so bright and cheerful. Perfect for a child’s birthday party!

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