Cooking Thursday

Earlier this week I told you that the girls and I made cupcakes.  Today I'm sharing the recipe for them.  This is a very moist cake, and the frosting recipe that came with it is also very good, and holds up well if you want to use a decorative tip.  That being said - this frosting takes some time to beat.  You wouldn't want to use a hand held mixer, and it's not one to make in a hurry!

Moist Vanilla Cake

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
Mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
Add half the flour followed by the baking powder and salt, and beat on low speed while pouring in half of the milk and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate.
Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while pouring in the remaining milk and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined.
Pour the batter in a 9-inch by 13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Do not overbake - test for doneness using toothpick in the center of the cake.  If toothpick is clean, the cake is done.  Because this cake is so moist, it doesn't rise as high as other cakes, so don't be concerned.
*This can easily be made into 24 cupcakes by using a large (3 tablespoon) cookie scoop. Bake for 16-20 minutes at 350°F

Perfect Vanilla Frosting

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold, unsalted butter
5 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Cut butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip butter for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Beat until butter look light in color.
Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated into butter then add 2 tsp of vanilla extract and mix to combine. Beat for about 60 seconds.
Next, add an additional 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat on low speed until sugar is incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes.
Add last 1 cup powdered sugar along with 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract . Beat on low until ingredients start to mix together. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3-5 minutes to whip additional air into the frosting.

** PS:  Happy Valentines Day, and Happy Birthday to my daughter Heather - the best valentine we ever got!