These were amazing. I wanted an awe-inspiring vanilla bean cupcake +vanilla bean frosting recipe, and this totally fit the bill!
How could I go wrong with getting a vanilla bean recipe from a guy who used the name vanilla in his blog?! LOL
I made these for my birthday treat, and they’re delicious! Highly, highly recommend them!
(P.S….I’m not much of a decorator)
Double Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
(VanillaGarlic via Simply Recipes)
Cupcake
- 1 ½ cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg plus 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/2 vanilla bean (or one whole bean if you can spare it)
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
- **I added a splash of milk, and a splash of vanilla extract, as I wanted to be able to pipe the icing and it was a bit too thick for that
Method
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. While the oven preheats cut open and scrape out the seeds of a vanilla bean. Place the seeds, empty bean, and the milk into a small saucepan. Heat to just under a simmer for a few minutes being careful not to scald the milk. Remove from heat and allow the milk to steep and cool. (Be sure to remove the bean after it cools. Wash it and then place it out to dry so it can be used again.)
2 Beat the butter for about 3 minutes on medium speed, then add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat for 30 seconds. Add the egg whites, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds each.
3 In one bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another whisk together the vanilla steeped milk, vanilla extract, and sour cream.
4 Add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter sugar egg mixture in alternating additions (dry-wet-dry method), starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined being sure to not overbeat.
5 Divide the batter into cupcake papers in a muffin tin and bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Be sure to rotate the cupcakes after the first 15 minutes to ensure even baking. Be sure to keep a close eye as these can get overbaked quickly. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Frost when cooled.
Frosting
Beat the butter and slowly add in the powdered sugar. Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla bean (or vanilla extract if using) and beat in.
Makes about one dozen cupcakes.
