Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

 These cupcakes are awesome because they are more than just plain ole vanilla, but they are still simple. Another bonus is that they are PERFECT with coffee!!


for the cupcakes:

1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1-1/2 c. cake flour (not self- rising), sifted

1 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 T. cinnamon

1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1-3/4 c. sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

2 tsp. vanilla

1-1/4 c. milk

Preheat oven to 350°. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.

Sift together both flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of milk, and beating until combined after each.

Divide the batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes.

Yield: about 28 regular size cupcakes

for the frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks or 1/2 pound), softened

3-4 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar, SIFTED

1/4 teaspoon table salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

up to 5 tablespoons half n half or heavy cream

Beat butter for a few minutes with a mixer, or until fluffy. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and turn your mixer on the lowest speed (so the sugar doesn’t blow everywhere) until the sugar has been incorporated with the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and 3 tablespoons of milk/cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add remaining sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add remaining milk 1 tablespoons at a time.

for the cinnamon-sugar dusting:

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 T. sugar

Mix together and sprinkle onto the frosting!