Basic Cupcake Recipe from MasterChef Australia

Basic cupcake recipe from MasterChef Australia

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Recipe by Kate Nichols 

Ingredients:
100g unsalted butter, softened
185g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla bean extract
2 eggs
200g self-raising flour
1/2 cup (125ml) milk 

Cupcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (160C fan-forced). Line muffin pans with paper cases of your choice.
2. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla bean paste with electric mixer until pale. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until just combined. Add the flour and milk in alternate batches and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. Add flavourings of your choice
3. Spoon some mixture into paper cases. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired. 

Basic butter frosting (optional)
 
100g unsalted butter, softened
3 cups (450g) icing sugar mixture, sifted 
1/4 cup (60ml) milk

Beat butter in a large bowl until pale, gradually add the icing sugar mixture while beating. Add the milk and beat until well combined.