Butter Cupcake with Maple Buttercream Icing

instructions

Butter Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 teaspoon No-Color Almond Extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk

Yield: Makes about 24 standard cupcakes.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In mixer bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Mix in vanilla and almond flavor.
5. Mix flour with baking powder and salt.
6. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, starting with the flour.
7. Pour into prepared pans.
8. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

Maple Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

• 4 cups (16 oz.) confectionery sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3-4 tablespoons half and half
• 1 1/2 teaspoons maple flavoring

Yield: Makes 2-1/4 cups.

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine all icing ingredients.
2. Beat until smooth.