Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes

Is anyone else a stress baker, or is it just me? Tonight I decided to make a new recipe. Homemade vanilla cupcakes with homemade vanilla buttercream frosting.

Ingredients: 

Vanilla cupcakes:

1/2 cup butter at room temperature 

2/3 cup sugar 

3 large eggs 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 1/2 cups flour 

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/4 tsp salt 

1/4 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line a muffin tin with paper liners (I got 16 cupcakes from the recipe). In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the egg mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk. Mix until smooth.  Scoop into paper liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake 18-20 minutes (mine took 16) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ingredients:

Vanilla Buttercream:

1 cup butter, softened

4-5 cups powdered sugar

2-4 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, and beat well to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and vanilla. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Add additional milk if too thick.

For fun, I drizzled caramel on top and put chocolate chips on also. It made them just a little extra special. Overall this recipe was a big hit! I was unable to try one, but my coworkers gave them 5 stars.