Community Corner

Simple Cupcake Recipe for an Impromptu Party

Dress up a batch of traditional vanilla cupcakes in minutes.

Andrea Bosco, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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The cupcake craze is still all the rage. From shows to blogs, it's been proven you can design anything into a cupcake if you think outside the box. The creative look is key, but taste trumps, right? 

I found a recipe that had my friends cupcake-binging, so I had to share. Can you guess who it belongs to? 

The ultimate baker, crafter and go-to wedding guru: Martha Stewart.

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The recipe, courtesy of marthastewart.com, makes one dozen cupcakes or three dozen miniatures. 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners; set aside.

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  • In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, scrape down bowl, and beat in vanilla.

  • Add flour mixture and milk alternatively, beginning and ending with flour.

  • Divide batter evenly among liners, about three-quarters full each. Bake until golden and tops spring back to touch, about 20 minutes for regular cupcakes, and 8 to 10 minutes for miniature cupcakes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to wire rack; cool completely.

    • Now for the fun part—decorating! It was my best friend's 23rd birthday and she was visiting from out of town. She loves all things Tiffany & Co., so I decided to use a traditional vanilla icing sprinkled with silver ball decors by Cake Mate to resemble the Tiffany's Bead Bracelet, which she wears.

    I found black and white paisley Reynolds StayBrite baking cups, which I absolutely love, at the in Donaldson's Crossroads. They promise not to fade, as they are made with a foil lining keeping patterns vibrant. The package urges customers to visit cupcakecentral.com for tips and ideas.

    Two of my favorite cupcake blogs are A Cupcake Blog and Cupcakes Take the Cake. As for shows? I'm a fan of DC Cupcakes. Local suggestion? has a pastry case to die for. Cupcakes are a win there!

    Happy baking!

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