French Vanilla Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting

By critty

Ingredients

• Cookie Dough Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups of vanilla sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 egg yolks, room temperature
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup of buttermilk, room temp
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 1 1-inch piece of vanilla bean
• 3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. milk
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Details

Servings 24
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from restlesschipotle.com

Preparation

Step 1

FOR THE FROSTING:
Beat butter and brown sugar with the paddle attachment on high speed until creamy and fluffy.

Mix in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth.

Beat in the flour and salt.

Mix in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.Preheat oven to 350F.

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
Heat the buttermilk until it just simmers.

Remove from heat and add the vanilla pod. Set aside.

Beat butter and sugar on high until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, beat thoroughly after each addition.

Blend flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda, in a bowl.

Cut open vanilla pod and scrape out seeds into the buttermilk. (You can dry the pod and use it to make vanilla sugar)

Add vanilla to buttermilk

Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low until mixed.

Add ½ the buttermilk.

Continue to alternate the flour and buttermilk, ending with the flour.

Scoop into cupcake papers about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Cool and frost with desired buttercream.

NOTE:
You can replace 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk with vanilla brandy for a deeper flavor.

These cupcakes are an intense vanilla and that means that you are only going to get the most intense flavor by using really good vanilla… It does make a difference. I use this vanilla and I just love it.