Cupcakes from Scratch...

Last week for the birthday boy I made cupcakes from scratch to bring in for his class. I was actually going to make the cake from a box mix and the frosting from scratch. With preparing for the family party I just wanted it make it easier on myself. Well the baking gods had another plan because I did not have enough oil to make the box mix so I had to make it from scratch.


So I used my well tested and trusted KAF Devil's Food Cake recipe which came out I think the best I have ever made it. It is the same one I used for Jacob's birthday cake last year which I now wish I did this year. This time I topped the cupcakes with KAF Easy Vanilla Frosting recipe which I have never made before.


Easy Vanilla Frosting
KingArthurFlour.com

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 to 5 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk or cream

1) In a large bowl, beat together the butter, shortening, and salt till fluffy.
2) Add about half the confectioners' sugar, and beat slowly until well blended.
3) Add the vanilla and half the milk or cream, and beat until fluffy.
4) Continue mixing in sugar and milk alternately until they've been completely incorporated.
5) Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Note: If you want some frosting left over to use in decorating, increase the ingredient amounts to: 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, approximately 6 cups confectioners' sugar, and up to 1/2 cup milk or cream.

All done and ready to be taken to school...

Review: I am going to review the frosting since this isn't the first time I have made this very yummy cake. I was a little worried about making my own frosting because I haven't really found one that I like very much. All other buttercreams that I have made came out tasting well like butter. This one does not have that taste at all and goes perfectly with the chocolate cake. I made the larger amount because I wanted to do some fancy decorating but time and cranky kids got in the way of those plans. So I did the next best thing put a bunch of sprinkles on them...Jacob LOVES sprinkles so he was happy with it. He is my child after all...loves sprinkles, loves frosting and LOVES chocolate cake! I would definitely make this frosting again and I want to try the chocolate version next time maybe.