Lavender and Vanilla Cupcakes

Is it spring yet? I feel like I've asked that almost every post for the past month—guess I'm ready for it. Lately I start with a coat on in the morning and by the end of the day I've ditched the coat and am in just my t-shirt with the windows rolled down. But my car air conditioner doesn't really work. Apparently. Oh well.But why talk about car air conditioners when we could be talking about lavender and vanilla cupcakes? I am a big lavender fan. I've tried my hand at lavender ice cream and marshmallows, so now I'm moving on to frosting. What I love about this frosting recipe is that it's a blend between a more traditional butter cream and a glaze. What I mean is: this frosting oozes. And it's awesome!See? Oozy. It's not your average frosting. I love how it turned out, coupled with the subtle lavender flavor. Yum! But first let's focus on the cupcakes. I tried a new vanilla cake recipe (always trying new ones, it's fun to find new favorites). What I loved about this vanilla cupcake recipe is that they reminded me of sugar cookies. :)Vanilla Cupcakes, adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. Makes one dozen mini cupcakes.

3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup cake flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Cream together the softened butter and sugar, until the mixture looks whipped. Now add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between. Then stir in the vanilla extract. In another bowl whisk together the flour, cake flour, baking powder and salt. Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stir to combine. Stir in half of the milk. Then stir in the rest of the flour, then the milk.

Fill your cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes, until the edges begin to brown.Lavender Frosting

1 cup milk
1/2 tablespoon lavender buds
5 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
purple food dye (optional) 

In a pot heat the milk and lavender buds over low/medium heat. Allow them to steep in the milk for 3-4 minutes (or longer if you want a more intense lavender flavor). The milk should become very fragrant. With a fine mesh strainer remove the lavender buds and reserve the milk. Return the milk to the heat and begin whisking in the all the flour. Keep the heat turned to a low medium and whisk until the mixture resembles a liquid (pour able) paste, like gravy. Remove from heat. 

Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Now add the flour mixture and blend until smooth. If you plan to use food dye add it here. Begin blending in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time until you achieve the consistency you want. You may not need all the powdered sugar, or you may use slightly more. It kind of depends on how thick your flour paste turned out. You want the frosting to be nearly solid but still have some ooze to it. :)Use a sharp knife to cut out inverted pyrimads in each cupcake. This creates a little well for the frosting to sit in.Garnish with sprinkles. That's a step. It's a must.:) Enjoy these! xo. Emma

P.S. Got a sweet tooth today? Check out: White Chocolate and Nutella Truffles, Mocha Meringue Pie, Sea Salt and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Potato Chip Brownies and Raspberry Filled Cupcakes. Yum!

Comments

[Sarah]

Yum!!! I need to make these! thanks for the recipe!

[Sarah]

So cute! Perfect for spring!!

http://sarahthearchitect.com/

[Melanie]

Yummmm. This is perfect! My mama's b-day is tomorrow & her fav color is lavender... SO going to (TRY) to make these!! Lol)

[LARY@ Inspiration Nook]

These look so good and pretty at the same time :)

[Allyson]

I have yet to try lavender food of any kind, but I think this swayed me. I have to try these.

Allyson
http://allysonwonderlandphotography.com

[Kristina]

These look so delicious! And they're so pretty! I love the lavender flavor-- one of my favorite latte flavors is lavender-- so I think I'll have to try these someday soon!
xo
Kristina
www.eccentricowl.com

[Squeaky]

Adorable!

[Lara]

They look so lovely, I bet they're absolutely delicious! Definitely going to give these ones a go.

http://sincerelylara.com

[Mary]

Am going to experiment now! Unfortunately I am allergic to lavender, but I love the idea of infused icing :)

[Star White]

These sound DElish! Wish I could just grab one off the computer screan and eat it!
Thanks for sharing!

Blessings!
Star
http://www.beautyandbows.com/

[Hiding In Heaven]

They look like fairytale inspired cupcakes...

Check out my new outfit post :
http://hidinginheaven.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-one-with-open-back-sweater.html

[Rachel]

Yummy. I tried lavender chocolate recently and was shocked at the flavor. It tastes just like it smells...delicious. hee hee. I must try this.

Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.con

[Laliv]

It looks so great! I love Vanilla and never thought of that combination....

[Jennifer]

Mmm yum!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

[Karina Louise]

They look delicious & pretty!

[sarah]

Those look delicious! I need to make them asap!

Sarah=)

www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage

[Hannah]

These look so good! And I am SO ready for Spring :)

[Aya]

Cute and yummy ♥

[Samantha]

I love the surprise of lavender when you take a bite! cool way to frost the top with some of the cake still showing!

-Samantha

[Joy]

Yum! Love the flavor combination! I can't wait for spring! Unfortunately, I woke up to a fresh blanket of snow.