Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes with (my) Buttercream Icing

These are my all time favourite vanilla cupcakes. Amy Sedaris also won second best in the city by New York Magazine - I totally understand why!

• Ingredients

• 1 1/2 stick (12 tbsp) unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cup sugar (I used 1 1/2 cup sugar)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups flour (I used all purpose, but I guess you could use either all purpose or cake flour)
• 1 1/4 cup milk

Method

• 1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees
• 2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt together
• 3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• 4. Beat in eggs, one at a time making sure it's well mixed
• 5. Beat in vanilla
• 6. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk. Do not overbeat.
• 7. Divide batter evenly. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes and toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• 9. Cool on wire rack for 5-10 minutes then transfer cupcakes to cool completely

Basic Buttercream Icing

Makes enough for 30 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 6 to 8 cups confectioner's (icing) sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method

• Combine butter, 4 cups icing sugar, milk, and vanilla. 
• Beat until creamy for 3 to 5 minutes. 
• Add remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time. Beat for 2 minutes after each addition.
• Ice cooled cupcakes and decorate!