Cupcakes are Cool

I find that the trend in wedding's and shower's that involve cupcakes are so unique and fun. There are so many way to decorate these little gems along with displaying them. I'm working on a construction project of my own variations of cupcake stands and I find the possibilities are endless. You can have various themes and displays that all tie together at one single event. As soon as I'm done with my project I hope to have some nice photos along with displays with actual cupcakes. I can't wait to try all the different variations of recipes and frosting along with decorating effects.

My town had a great little cupcake shop. I wish more towns would have them because, let's all be honest, there are no grumpy people around cupcakes. They just make you smile. Maybe it's the kid in all of us, or perhaps it's the fact that this one little thing is our very own, no sharing or saving. We get to have this all to ourselves. That's what this world needs, more cake, in any form.

Give this yummy recipe a try (From Marthastewart.com - Martha Stewart)

Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

Makes 24

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups milk

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated and scraping down sides of bowl, beat in vanilla.
2. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Scrape the sides and bottom of bowl to assure the batter is thoroughly mixed. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling papers about 2/3 full. Bake on the center rack of the oven until tops spring back to touch, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

I would personally recommend topping with a Strawberry or Raspberry Meringue Buttercream.