Yummy vanilla cupcakes

Ok, dramatic, but it’s like the “tell”. If you don’t have a good vanilla, can anything else really be that good? There are so many ways to vary a vanilla cake and I want the best of all of them! I’m greedy like that. Plus, I know not everyone has the same idea of the perfect cupcake, so I like to have options. You may or may not have tried my original VANILLA CUPCAKES. They are loved by many and were my favorite for some time. I still remember the batches upon batches of cupcakes I made while testing those and the fabulous friends that lined them up and tasted tested them all to help me find the best one. If you haven’t tried them, they are worth checking out. VANILLA CUPCAKES INGREDIENTS *2 1/2 cups (325g) all - purpose flour *2 cups (414g) sugar *3 tsp baking powder *1 tsp salt *1 cup (240ml) milk *1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil *1 tablespoon vanilla extract *2 large eggs *1 cup (240ml) water VANILLA FROSTING *1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, room temperature *1/2 cup (95g) shortening *4 cups (460g) powdered sugar *1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract *(30-45ml) water or milk METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with liners. 2. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to a large mixer bowl and combine. Set aside. 3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and eggs to a medium sized bowl and combine. 4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until well combined. 5. Slowly add the water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined. Please note that the batter will be very thin. 6. Fill the cupcake liners about half way and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. 7. Remove the cupcakes from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling. 8. To make the frosting, combine the butter and shortening in a large mixer bowl and mix until smooth. 9. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. 10. Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of water or milk and mix until smooth. 11. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth. 12. Add remaining water or milk as needed and mix until smooth. 13. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes NOTE: *If you’d prefer a more traditional vanilla cupcake you can uses butter instead of oil and other liquid.