Vanilla Bean Cupcakes and another Birthday

Okay I just have to say YAY! I passed my PT (physical fitness test) today with a 97.4% means I'm fit to fight for another year in the military. Also If you know me, you would know I try not to make dessert on the weekdays unless its for a special occasion. Well since I work in a maintenance shop with 40 other people it's not unusual for someones birthday to pop up once or twice a month. Today is Danielle's 21st birthday, very big b-day for any young adult, even more so in the military.  Because that means you can enjoy in the festivities with your coworkers out on the town instead of being the designated driver all the time. That honorary title goes to the next under 21 year old Airman. and the cycle goes on.  So Danielle I hope you enjoy your vanilla bean cupcakes and a legal drink on me :) 

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes w/ Vanilla Bean Butter Frosting

From Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications 2012

Yields: 12 Cupcakes and 12 mini Cupcakes

Bake Time: reg: 18 min. mini: 14 min. 

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Butter

1 Egg

2 Egg yolks

1 Vanilla Bean, split lengthwise

1 1/2 Cup Flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 Sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 Cup whipping cream

Directions

Let your eggs and butter sit at room temperature for at least 45 min. 

Preheat oven to 350 F and line a cupcake tin with 12 regular sized muffin cups and mini tin with 12 mini muffin cups (if you have a 24 mini tin, put a muffin cup into every other tin cup).

In a medium bowl mix your dry ingredients together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. 

In a electric mixer on medium high beat the butter for 30 seconds and add your sugar until combined. Beat in your egg and yolks one at a time and vanilla bean seeds (scraped out of the bean) until mixed.  Alternately add you flour mixture and whipping cream to the batter until just combined. 

Fill your muffin cups 3/4 full and bake the regular sized cupcakes for 18 minutes and the mini cupcakes at 14 minutes. 

Vanilla Bean Butter Frosting

Ingredients

1 Cup butter at room temp for at least 45 min. 

1 Vanilla bean cut lengthwise and seeds scraped out

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (clear if you want the frosting bright white)

8 Cups powdered sugar

1/4 Cups whipping cream

2-3 Tablespoons extra whipping cream to help thin out the frosting

Directions

Using a electric mixer beat the butter on  medium high for 30 seconds. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, (clear vanilla if you want the frosting to stay bright white) vanilla bean seeds and dash of salt.

Mix until combined.  Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar until combined.  Add 1/4 cup whipping cream and 4 more cups of powdered sugar and beat until combined.  Add 2 to 3 more tablespoons of whipping cream until the frosting is smooth and fluffy and at pipping consistency.