Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes

With the weekend fast approaching I thought I'd share my favourite cupcake recipe with you in case you're doing a spot of baking over the weekend and looking to make some tasty treats to enjoy!

The first time I visited New York, Magnolia Bakery was high on my list of places to see. The shop situated in the West Village was famously featured in 'Sex and the City' and offers an array of delicious cakes and desserts. I tried a vanilla cupcake and some of their heavenly banana pudding and instantly fell in love! 

No matter how many cupcake recipes I've tried I keep coming back to Magnolia's. They always turn out well and are popular with family and friends! I received their cookbook for my birthday earlier this year and can't wait to try out more of their recipes.

To make Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes you will need

• 1 1/2 cups of self raising flour
• 1 1/4 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups of caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

For the vanilla buttercream icing

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6-8 cups of icing sugar
• 1/2 cup of milk 
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes

Method

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees/gas mark 4  and line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake cases

• In a small bowl combine the flours and set aside

• In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition

• Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Scrape down the batter in the bowl using a rubber spatula to ensure the ingredients are well blended

• Spoon the batter into the cupcake cases, filling them about three-quarters full

• Bake for 20-25 minutes

For the vanilla buttercream icing 

• Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add half of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5minutes

• Gradually add the remaining sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until the icing is thick enough for spreading. You might not need to add all of the sugar. You can add a couple of drops of food colouring if you want to make coloured icing

• Generously spread the icing on top of each cupcake using a spatula

Have you tried Magnolia's cupcakes? 

What's your favourite cupcake recipe?