In my searching for the perfect cupcake, I came across this cute blog:

http://honeyandjam.blogspot.com/

I don’t know what my obsession is with cupcakes lately! I don’t really like them THAT much, but I think I’m obsessed with finding a recipe that resembles the ones at 25 main in Saint George Utah! I die over them! I haven’t tried this recipe, but it sounded so good, I am making them today!

Basic Vanilla Cake Batter
(this is for a layer cake, I halved it to make 12 cupcakes)

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 cups cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat sugar and butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until yellow disappears after each addition. Beat in vanilla and almond extracts.

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl; add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat a medium-low speed just until blended after each addition. (batter will be thick)

For two 9 inch pans, cook for 32-36 minutes.

My cupcakes baked for about 20 minutes.

Strawberry Vanilla Buttercream

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar
1/2 cup of fresh strawberries, chopped

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with strawberries, beating at low speed until blended and smooth after each addtion.