Birthday Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• (Makes 24 regular cupcakes)

Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 3-4 cups confectioners' sugar, SIFTED
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• Up to 4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• Garnish - colorful sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line 2 - 12 hole muffin trays with muffin lines (or else you can bake in 2 batches).
3. Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time.
5. In a medium bowl mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
6. Into the butter mixture, alternate adding flour mixture and milk until it is all mixed.
7. Stir in vanilla.
8. Pour about 3/4 full into liners and bake for 15-18 minutes until you a can poke a fork into the center and it comes out clean.

Frosting

1. In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter for a few minutes on medium speed.
2. Add 3 cups of confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until the sugar is incorporated into the butter.
3. Increase mixer speed to medium and add the pure vanilla extract, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes.
4. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add the remaining confectioners' sugar.
5. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk 1 tablespoons at a time.
6. Garnish with colorful sprinkles.