vanilla bean cupcakes + white chocolate-vanilla buttercream.

Tomorrow the college family group that I help lead is celebrating two birthdays! Haven't had an excuse or the time to make cupcakes in a while, so I thought this the perfect opportunity to do so.
I happened upon this recipe after trying a vanilla bean cupcake for the first time and falling in love. I wanted to recreate it after failing to find more at my local grocery store.

From:
http://mymadisonbistro.com/archives/vanilla-bean-cupcakes-with-white-chocolate-buttercream

What:

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with White Chocolate Buttercream
adapted from Sky High

Ingredients for the cupcakes
3 c cake flour
2 c vanilla sugar
4 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 whole vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
2 sticks plus 2 T unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/3 c milk*
1 T vanilla extract
5 egg whites

Instructions for the cupcakes
1. Adjust racks to upper and lower-middle postion and preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 muffin tins with cupcake wrappers.

2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Blend well on low speed. With the tip of a knife, scrape the vanilla seeds out of the bean and add to the flour mixture. Add the butter and 1 cup of the milk, mix on low to blend. Raise the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes (batter will be light and fluffy).

3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites, remaining milk, and vanilla extract. Add to batter in 3 additions, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Stop when the egg mixture is just incorporated into the batter.

4. Using an ice cream scoop or a liquid measuring cup, fill each muffin tin 3/4 of the way with the batter. Bake for 10 minutes, then switch the pans around on the racks. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until tops spring back lightly when touched. Cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then remove to wire cooling racks.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Some pics from the process:

I'm not sure what cutting up the butter does...but I sure like the aesthetic!

Into the oven they go!

Aren't they the cutest little naked cupcakes ever?

These cupcakes always come out beautiful and really yummy for me. They're sweet, but not too sweet and have a little crisp at the top. I do have to make some adjustments due to my tiny budget and availability (or rather, the lack thereof) of ingredients. I've never been able to get "vanilla sugar" ...so I just use the regular white kind. I'm also not terribly fond of the buttercream recipe....only because it's kind of complicated for a newb like me and also requires the use of a stand mixer. The first time, I attempted making the buttercream by hand-whisking; in another instance I tried with a hand mixer. After hours of mixing and the partial loss of my sanity, I vowed never to attempt it again without the proper tools. 

I use this recipe instead:

From:
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/03/24/easy-vanilla-bean-buttercream/

What: 
EASY VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM
INGREDIENTS:

2½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
2½ cups confectioners' sugar (10 ounces)
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons heavy cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Using a paring knife, scrape seeds from vanilla bean into butter and beat mixture at medium-high speed to combine, about 15 seconds.

2. Add confectioners' sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully incorporated, about 30 seconds; scrape bowl, add vanilla and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 20 seconds, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.

I also make a couple adjustments here too. I don't use vanilla bean [that junk's expensive] and I add melted white chocolate chips for flavor. My hand mixer and sanity manage to stay intact for the 10 minute prep time.  I also tend to add either a white chocolate chip or sprinklers for decorations. 

le produit fini: 

Far from perfect, but yummy!

Can I reiterate that I'm a total newb at this? I'm proper tired and can't wait to share these goodies with my loves. If this post hasn't convinced you of it yet, let me make it clear....it's not me...it's the recipe! :]

♥

intro.

I'm nowhere near an expert baker. I don't have all the fancy tools, and I'm not at all knowledgeable in the technicalities of the field. Regardless, I love to bake! It helps me relieve stress, think things out and gives me a way to bless people. As much as I'd like to take all the credit for how yummy my goodies seem to turn out,  I know that it's really the authors of the recipes I use who deserve the praise. This blog serves as my ode to such authors and my medium to share these baking experiences!

I do hope you'll enjoy your time here and are inspired to try and make something tasty! Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.....it's all in the recipe! :]

♥