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We had a baby shower at the house last weekend. If you follow along with SRFD you probably remember we had another co-ed baby shower just a few weeks ago, with 80 people. Our son Patrick and his wife Callie are expecting their first baby, a little girl, in just a few weeks. This shower was for our daughter Allie who is expecting her second child, a little girl. The girls are due about 8 weeks apart. Isn’t it lovely the two little girl cousins get to grow up together? We are truly blessed. Poor grandson Isaac will have two girls to deal with. Being four years older will make for some interesting shenanigans in a few years. As you probably know, a baby shower to welcome a sweet little girl must include a pink explosion and tender White Cupcakes with fluffy Vanilla Buttercream!
Cakes are not ususally my most successful recipes. In fact, I made 40 really horrible looking cupcakes before I started a new recipe (thank you King Arthur Flour for saving the day!) I was very pleased with these tasty white cupcakes with almond and vanilla flavors. The outside browned a little more than I had hoped but the inside was perfectly white, tender and moist. All our guests each headed home with a small plate of extra cupcakes … so they must have loved them!
The Whipped Vanilla Buttercream is light and fluffy and easy to pipe. I love a soft icing that doesn’t get hard and crusty and this held up well at room temperature for several hours. The baby shower had a pink and gold theme and little pink tutus, ruffles and leggings among the lovely gifts. Hair ribbons, dresses, headbands and blankets, all in lovely pastels, rounded out the fun.
Pin for your next party!
I made a diaper cake for our daughter, which requires no baking! Best cake I’ve ever made. We had a simple punch of Fresca and White Grape Juice which is always a hit. I typically don’t drink soda but did enjoy a nice cold glass. Every time I make this punch people ask for the recipe. It doesn’t get much easier than that. And let’s not forget our grandson, who is soon to be a big brother. He was seriously thinking about snatching one of the cupcakes before the party started!
White Cupcakes with Fluffy Whipped Vanilla Buttercream
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 2 ¾ cups cake flour
- 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 large egg whites plus 1 whole egg
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
For the Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 32 ounces powdered sugar sifted (use less if desired)
- 2-4 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare muffin tin with paper liners.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Blend on low to combine. Add the softened butter and mix on low until crumbly and a little like coarse sand.
- Start adding the egg whites, one at a time. Blend well on medium speed after each addition. If you're not sure how long to beat, go another minute. It's important to scrape the bowl all the way to the bottom after each addition. After all the egg whites have been added, blend in the whole egg. Make sure to scrape the sides and bottom again and mix one more time.
- In a two cup measure, combine the milk, vanilla, and almond extracts. With the mixer on low, slowly stream in ⅓ of the milk mixture. Beat 1 to 2 minutes until fluffy. Repeat until all milk has been added. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat 2 more minutes.
- Divide the batter into 24 cupcake liners.
- Bake 16-18 minutes or until the top is no longer wet, or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean, a few crumbs are okay. Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Frost as desired.
For the Buttercream:
- Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium-high until light and fluffy.
- With the mixer on low, add the milk, vanilla and almond extracts. Beat another minute on medium to combine.
- Slowly add the confectioners' sugar beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat on medium-high for about 3 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Adjust by adding more milk if needed for desired consistency.
- If not using immediately, refrigerate and rewhip before using.
Recipe Notes
- White Cupcakes Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour
- Fluffy Whipped Vanilla Buttercream Adapted from a recipe by I Am Baker for Whipped Vanilla Buttercream
Nutrition
Let the babysitting begin! I’ll turn them all into little sous chefs haha. If you’re looking for a good cupcake recipe that works, I hope you will give this one a try. I was very pleased and I am often hard to please when it comes to cake recipes.
Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!
Tricia
Foodiewife
I have been searching for the perfect white cake recipe, and this just might be it. I adore almond extract! The whole baby shower food display looks lovely, and I love the shot of your grandson. Hopefully, you let him snag one cupcake.
Tricia Buice
I was very pleased with the recipe and the amazing flavor – I am also a big fan of almond extract. Thank you so much for commenting and stopping by. My grandson always gets his way so no worries about missing a cupcake!
sippitysup
80 people at a baby shower. That sounds more like a baby rave! Good thing you had cupcakes. GREG
Muna Kenny
Beautiful! I love cupcakes, this way I have more control and know when to stop :). Now I can’t wait to give these beauties a try!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Muna – cupcakes are perfect for many occasions – and “just because” is my favorite!
All That I'm Eating
How lovely and these cupcakes are so simply beautiful.
Tricia Buice
They are simple but packed with flavor 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
2 Sisters Recipes
How wonderful Tricia! – and what a blessing to have two more grandchildren- and girls! Heaven!!!
God bless them all! And these cupcakes are beautiful!
Tricia Buice
We are so excited Anna & Liz! Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Monday 🙂
Beth
Your cupcakes sound wonderful, and your baby shower table is absolutely gorgeous!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Beth! Hope you are enjoying the first day of Spring 🙂
Susan
How wonderful to have cousins so close in age, Tricia! My girls never had that since my sister was over 8 years old than me. I was thinking of making cupcakes for Easter and these look perfect!
Tricia Buice
You can’t go wrong with a King Arthur Flour recipe 🙂 Enjoy and have a blessed Easter!
cheri
Hi Tricia, sounds like congratulations are in order. What a wonderful addition to your family, 2 sweet little girls. I love my grandbabies they are so much fun. Also these cupcakes are adorable, the frosting sounds perfect.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cheri – hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Becky Green
BEAUTIFULLY DONE, Tricia! I LOOOVE ALL of your touches for this shower! 😉 AND your grandson looks like our son when he was that age…..PURE ORNERINESS!!!! LOL These cupcakes look FABULOUS!!!! I ALWAYS use King Arthur Flour! 😉 Thank you for stopping by….I had a computer crash & it’s taking me some time to resubscribe to those I was subscribed to. 😉 (((HUGS!)))
Tricia Buice
Hi Becky! Thanks so much for stopping by – hope you have a lovely weekend. We’re anxiously waiting for the phone to ring!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Oh my goodness, Tricia. Look at those perfect cupcakes and cake and fruit platter and casseroles….You are one very ambitious host! Everything looks so lovely and those cupcakes have left me craving something sweet and fluffy. Congratulations on your quickly expanding family. How fun!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Robyn – we are very excited! Have a great weekend.
Abbe @ This is How I Cook
Oh Tricia, I am so happy for you! I never had cousins to grow up with, so that sounds so magical. I am eagerly awaiting the grands, but they know nothing about me yet, because neither of my kids are even approaching a serious relationship! These cupcakes are beautiful!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Abbe – we are just waiting on the phone to ring! So excited 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend! Heard you got some snow … again!
Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef
Your cupcakes look so cute. I don’t remember the last time I made cupcakes. This recipe would be a great help for me , thank you. You are so lucky to be a grandmother. Enjoy and have fun.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Gerlinde – I am very blessed indeed!
Monique
Send Isaac over to my house;) 4 grandsons:)
So cute the stars and pink..♥
Tricia Buice
Boys everywhere 🙂 I know you enjoy your grandson time. Thanks Monique – have a lovely weekend!
Diane (Created by Diane)
Oh I could just DIVE into the cupcakes they are so perfectly pretty. I just love the gold stars too.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Diane! Happy Friday 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such beautiful cupcakes! Vanilla vanilla cupcakes are my favourite 🙂 And you are going to have your hands full of grandbabies! How lovely that the girls will be so close together in age, too.
Tricia Buice
Even though people often associate vanilla with a plain flavor – these are anything but plain. Thanks Jennifer – hope you and your family have a terrific weekend.
Monica
All this wonderful news – the baby girls to join the family, the showers, and celebration – I’m so happy for you! : ) These cupcakes turned out beautifully. I love that soft whipped buttercream because, like you mentioned, the ones that hardened aren’t quite so nice. I’m sure the cupcakes were devoured and appreciated by everyone. Wishing you and your family continued joy!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Monica – we are very excited!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
They look amazing! I am usually not crazy for any buttercream, but this vanilla one sounds and looks quite light and delicious.
Tricia Buice
It is tasty and not so heavy Angie. Thanks so much – have a great weekend!
handmade by amalia
There is a lot of happiness in your family, Tricia, I’m so pleased for you. And thank you for sharing the recipe, my niece has been after me to make cupcakes for a while. And – polka dots rules!
Amalia
xo
Tricia Buice
Your niece should enjoy these. Nothing like baking together and homemade treats. Thanks Amalia!
Chris Scheuer
They’re beautiful Tricia, just perfect for welcoming a new baby girl into the family! You will have lots of fun with these two! Can’t wait to see all your fun in the kitchen!
Tricia Buice
I hope we have as much fun in the kitchen as you do with your lovely girls. Can’t wait!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
I’m so excited for you all, and you are so right about the girls growing up together, my two girls grew up with three other female cousins and it was magical. These cupcakes are so beautiful!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Sue! Let the fun begin 🙂