My Favorite Cupcake

Okay, so maybe this isn't really my absolute-favorite-of-all-time cupcake, and there's still plenty of potential favorites I have yet to try, but it's definitely the one I turn to when I'm looking for a simple, yet very tasty basic cupcake. Perfectly moist, creamy, and sweet; every bite is delicious. Ohhh I'm making my mouth water a little...

Besides this recipe being delicious, I also find myself doing the majority of my decoration practice with these cupcakes. Here are a few ways I have decorated them so far:

 Classic Valentine's Day:

Thinking of a certain someone when I made these (cheesy, I know)

Further decorated version of the first cupcake

 

Garden Party Cupcakes:

This is how they look with just piped grass (adorable!)

Yes, I think  I will add some flowers.

 And of course, no garden would be complete without a quaint little pathway to roam on.

Elegant and Simple

Starburst Cupcakes

Shark and Beach Cupcakes

Inspiration from Martha Stewart

Spooky Halloween Cupcakes

White Chocolate Cupcakes (makes 18)

Original recipe from Baking Bites

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
4-oz white chocolate, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup plus 1 tbsp milk 

1. Preheat oven to 325. Line muffin pans with 18 cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the chopped white chocolate by heating it in 30 second intervals in the microwave. Stir well with a fork between each interval and cook only until the chocolate is smooth when stirred.
4. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by melted white chocolate and vanilla extract.
5. Working in two or three additions, alternate adding in some of the milk and some of the flour mixture, ending with a final addition of flour. Mix until just incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.
6. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
7. Bake at 325 for 20-23 minutes.

White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

4-oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1-oz white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tsp milk or cream
2-3 cups confectioners’ sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese, butter and melted white chocolate. Beat in vanilla and milk, then add in the confectioners’ sugar gradually until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.