Cupcakes!

As I've mentioned before baking cupcakes is one of my favourite activities, and the recipe below is my favourite. they always come out really light and fluffy, I think it is because of the whisked egg whites.  

Cupcakes!

1 3/4 cups of sifted plain flour

2 Teaspoons of baking powder

3/4 cup of milk

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups of castor sugar

4oz (about 114g) of butter

3 egg whites 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees, and prepare the cake tins however you like

Sift the flour along with the baking powder and salt into a bowl

Combine milk and vanilla into a measuring jug and set aside

Meanwhile cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy, (if your anything like me you should probably taste the mix at this stage just to make sure their aren't any poisons inside!)

Alternating the flour and the milk mixes; blend half of one, then half of the other into the butter mixture. You should mix well after each addition and repeat, making sure you mix well at the end too. 

In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry (i.e. droopy peaks). This is best done with an electric mixer, or by someone with a really strong arm. After this gently fold them into the batter.

Spoon the batter into the prepared tins, filling them to at least halfway. bake for about 20 minutes or until you think they are done. 

Serve decorated with your favourite icing and sprinkles!

(my icing consists of 6oz of butter, 2 1/4 cups of icing sugar blended and beaten until light and fluffy ) 

Happy Baking!

From Meaghan.