Simple White Cupcakes with Creamy Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/3  cup  butter
• 2    eggs
• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/8  teaspoon  salt
• 2/3  cup  sugar
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla
• 1/3  cup  buttermilk or sour milk*
• 1  recipe  Creamy Frosting

Directions

1. Let butter and eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Grease twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper bake cups; set aside. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat on medium to high speed about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl as necessary. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined after each addition. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about half full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups and cool completely on wire rack. Generously spread Creamy Frosting over cupcakes. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Creamy Frosting: In a large mixing bowl beat together 4 ounces softened cream cheese** and 2 tablespoons softened butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually add 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating until smooth.

*To make sour milk: Place 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a 1-cup glass measure. Add enough milk to equal 1/2 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes before using.

**Note: To soften the cream cheese for the frosting, let it stand at room temperature about 30 minutes. Or, place it in a microwave-safe container and microwave, uncovered, on 100 percent power (high) about 10 seconds or until softened.

To Make Ahead: Place frosted cupcakes in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. For longer storage, keep unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw frozen cupcakes at room temperature for 1 hour before frosting. Store frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.