How To: Bake vanilla cupcakes

Angie shows you how to make delicious vanilla cupcakes and frosting like a pro - from scratch Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients: 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 3/4 cups flour, and 1/2 tsp. salt, and set aside. Using a mixer, cream 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup sugar, until sugar granules dissolve. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, and 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Add 1/3 of the dry mixture, followed by 3/4 cup milk. Mix well to smooth out any air pockets. Add remaining flour mixture, then remaining milk. Mix well, scraping sides. Using a medium ice cream scoop, or spoon, drop mix into prepared cupcake pans, filled with cupcake liners. If desired, instead of liners, grease individual cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Yields 24 cupcakes. To prepare frosting, add 1/4 cup softened butter, a pinch of salt and 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar in a bowl. Add 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract and 4 tablespoons milk. Blend with mixer until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add more milk. When frosting is completed, using an offset spatula, apply frosting to cooled cupcakes and serve. Using ingredients most kitchens have on hand, in just a few steps, you can have two dozen frosted vanilla cupcakes to serve in just minutes.