TGIF

What better way to start the weekend than with a cupcake? Last week, my friend Brittany and I took a cupcake-making class at the delightful Butter Lane (whose cupcakes are my new favorite in the city).

While cupcakes aren't that complicated to make, we learned a lot: for example, it's totally possible--and easy--to over mix, and when you do, you end up with bread, not cake. Buttermilk (and sometimes, sour cream) is the secret ingredient to moist, tasty cupcakes. It adds an unexpected tang and sweetness. Lastly, baking is always more fun with a cocktail.

Sign up for a class here.



My favorite things about Butter Lane are the $1 frosting shots. They have tons of tempting flavors, like raspberry, Tiramisu and cinnamon cream cheese (which, when topped on a banana cupcake, tastes just like French Toast).



Here's the recipe for their signature vanilla cupcakes and vanilla frosting. Happy Friday!

Butter Lane Vanilla Cupcakes
Ingredients
1/2 lb unsalted butter (we used Cabot)
2 1/2 C granulated sugar
5 eggs
Generous splash of vanilla extract
12 oz sour cream
1 Tbs baking powder
1 pinch of salt
3 C cake flour (I like the King Arthur brand)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until butter and sugar form a cream. Crack eggs into a separate bowl, add vanilla extract to the eggs, and then add eggs to the mixing bowl one at a time. Mix on medium speed until batter becomes light and fluffy. Combine baking powder and salt with flour. Add half of the flour mixture, followed by sour cream, and then add the rest of the flour mixture. Mix until combined, but be careful not to over mix. Scoop cupcakes into a lined muffin tin and bake for 23-25 minutes.

Yields 36 cupcakes

Butter Lane Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
1 lb of butter
4 oz cream cheese
7 C confectioner's sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 splash vanilla extract

Combine butter and cream cheese in mixing bowl and mix on a medium speed for 5 minutes. Add vanilla bean and mix for one minute. Turn mixer to low and add sugar. Once combined, add a splash of vanilla extract and mix on a medium-high speed for 3 minutes or until smooth and fully combined.



Butter Lane, 123 East Seventh Street (btwn 1st and A), NYC; 212.677.2880 or butterlane.com

Images courtesy of Butter Lane.