Funfetti Cupcakes

Alex is beginning the fellowship application process. I can't believe it's finally happening. I joked with Alex that it almost feels like a pregnancy because he's getting his application ready now and in nine months we'll know where we are headed for fellowship. Like both my pregnancies, I hope the next nine months fly by so we can start planning the next stage. I can't wait until all the applying is done so we can know where we are going to settle down. To celebrate and lighten the stressful mood I bring you these fun cupcakes. How can you not smile and feel like a kid when you eat anything with sprinkles? These cupcakes taste more like a vanilla cupcake than they do the boxed funfetti cake, but they are still good and worth making. The sprinkles alone make this recipe a must-try.

Funfetti Cupcakes
Source: The Baker Chick
Yields 12 cupcakes

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 whole eggs (room temperature)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk (room temperature)
1/3 cup assorted brightly colored sprinkles + more for top of frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy, and pale about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.

Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk gradually, mixing only until just combined. Fold in the sprinkles and pour into cupcake tins - filling them 2/3 of the way. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool, then frost.

Vanilla Buttercream
2 sticks of unsalted buter- room temperature.
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tsp milk or cream
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Sprinkles for decorating

In a large bowl, cream the butter until it is fluffy and pale. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it is well combined and thick. Add the vanilla paste and 1 tsp at a time of milk until the frosting is a creamy and good spreading consistency. Pipe/Spread on cupcakes and top with sprinkles.