Cream Cheese Cupcake Recipe

Happy Easter!
 I hope you are all having a wonderful time with friends and family!
Today I wanted to share a favorite cupcake recipe of mine. I originally posted it April of 2011, but I knew some of you have been asking for it, so here you go!

 Approx. 50-60 mini  or 24-30 standard cupcakes.

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 C sweet cream butter - room temp.
• 1 C sugar
• 1 1/2 C cake flour ( found in any generic grocery store)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 1/2 t vanilla extract
• 1/2 C *hot* water

C = Cup, t = teaspoon, T = Tablespoon

Directions:
If your butter will not warm to room temp. maybe its a cold rainy day and you are not yet ready to turn on the heat...you can gently nuke the butter in the microwave, just till softened.

Preheat oven 350* and set out mini cupcake lined pans.

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Individually- add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, salt, baking soda.
• Add the flour- 1/2 C at a time until blended.
• Add *hot* water last, then blend until smooth.

 Use a ladle to spoon the batter into a measuring cup
 

Pour into each liner at least 3/4 way full. Wipe up any drips so they don't fill the house with a burnt smell while baking.
 

This photo shows my old oven. My new oven has a convection feature so I can utilize both racks if needed. :)

You should be able to fit at least two full sheets on one rack in your oven.
 

 Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Now for the Frosting.
You say you don't like cream cheese, but I guarantee you'll love these!
Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese (room temp.)
• 2 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 2 T heavy cream (room temp.)
• 1 T vanilla extract

Directions:
Using your hand held or stand alone mixer-
Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar on low until blended.
 It may be chunky- this is OK.
Add remaining ingredients one at a time.
Mix at high speed until fluffy.
Chill in fridge for a bit (1 hour) before using on cooled cupcakes.
* The secret to delicious cupcakes is a heavy hand when applying the frosting and a even heavier hand when adding the sprinkles! :)

Decorate  and ENJOY!