Everyday Life : Tea and Cupcakes

I have a cup of tea everyday (two on Fridays!) and every so often I make cupcakes.  Cupcakes are happy - how can you not like a cupcake?

I find a lot of good looking recipes for cupcakes on Pinterest :

but my favorite recipe is one I've had for a while :

Real Vanilla Cupcakes :  (Makes about 24 cupcakes)

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
4 eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Stir to combine.  Add butter and mix with pastry blender or electric mixer.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla.  Gradually add to dry ingredients.  Do not overbeat.
Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full.  Bake for 20 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack, then frost with frosting (recipe below).

Real Vanilla Frosting :

1 cup butter
6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream butter until smooth and creamy.  Add 6 cups sugar, 1/4 cup milk and vanilla.  Mix until light and fluffy.  If necessary, add more sugar to make frosting fluffier, or add more milk for creamier frosting.

Enjoy!