Organic Vanilla Cupcakes - Recipe

For the cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups organic all purpose flour (or cake flour)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted organic butter
2/3 + 3 tbsp. organic sugar
1 large organic egg
1 tsp organic vanilla extract
1/4 vanilla bean (seeds only)
2/3 cup organic homo/whole milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a muffin pan with 12 baking cups. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat the butter, until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar into the whipped butter and mix well. Beat in the egg until well blended and then beat in the vanilla extract. Slice the vanilla bean in half, lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds using a paring knife. Discard the husk. Measure the milk into a small container and add the vanilla seeds to it. Add the flour mixture and milk alternating between additions, in three equal parts to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Blend gently until smooth. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of the muffin tin. Bake for 18-22 minutes, rotating in the oven about half way through baking time. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

for the frosting:
1/4 vanilla bean (seeds only)
1/2 cup organic unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup trans-fat free vegetable shortening
2 cups organic icing sugar
1/4 tsp oganic vanilla extract

2. Slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using a paring knife. Discard the husk and set the seeds aside. Using a stand, or hand mixer, beat the butter and shortening on medium speed until creamy. Add the vanilla seeds and mix for a few seconds on medium speed. In a separate bowl, sift the icing sugar. Add the icing sugar to the butter mixture on low speed until it begins to incorporate. Add the vanilla extract, and beat on medium to high speed until fully incorporated. Frost each cupcake using a beveled spatula or piping bag fitted with a large round tip (such as a Wilton 1A). Top with sprinkles, fondant decorations or a small flower (as seen above).

If you enjoyed the recipe above and want to try out some other organic cupcakes, you must try Kara's Cupcakes in San Francisco. Most amazing cupcakes I have ever tasted, and they are made with quality organic ingredients!