Go ahead- Just ask

I don't think I have the ability to refuse a baking request. Last year a colleague casually hinted/requested my cheescake pops for her birthday and despite fully knowing that the process would take oh-i-dont-know- about 9 hours, I did it anyway. On a thursday night. I didn't even manage to finish them that night, so I had to wake up at 5am the following morning to coat each one in chocolate and sprinkles before wrapping them up and heading off to work. She was very grateful.

This weekend, the boyfriend had a much more simple request: "can you make me a cupcake?" Sure! What kind? I asked while grabbing my February edition of Martha Stewart Living which had a huge feature on cupcakes. He looked through the 8 page glossy spread and settlled on vanilla *beat* with vanilla icing.

To his merit, I'm not sure I've ever made plain ol' vanilla anything so I saw this as a true test- can I handle the basics of cupcakery?

Can you spot the fake couple monogrammed cupcake? downright classy.

Appropriately themed cupcakes for my sweetie. He's from the ocean!

Yellow Butter Cupcakes

Yet another recipe from Martha.

Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

Makes 36.

• 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 9 ounces (2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs plus 3 large yolks, room temperature
• 2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.

Reduce speed to low. Mix remaining wet ingredients in a bowl. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each full.

Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks.

Bakerella's Buttercream

via The Pioneer Woman

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pound powdered sugar
• Cream or half-and-half for consistency

Cream butter and vanilla, then add powdered sugar in increments. Add cream or half-and-half to reach desired consistency. Color with gel food coloring as desired.

With love,

The Flying Quiche