Recipe: White Wedding Cupcakes

VANILLA ALMOND CUPCAKES

• 1 and 2/3 cups (210g) sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (60g) yogurt, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 egg whites, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

• 6 ounces (170g) white chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups (240g) confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• sprinkles, if desired

1. Begin the recipe by melting the white chocolate for the frosting. I always melt pure chocolate by constantly stirring over low heat on the stove. If using a microwave, melt in 15 second increments – stirring after each until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Whisk in the sugar – the mixture will be gritty. Whisk in yogurt, milk, vanilla and almond extracts until combined. Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no lumps remain. Batter will be thick. Try very hard to avoid over mixing. Set aside.
4. Using a whisk, a handheld mixer, or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment – beat the egg whites until until thick and foamy, about 3 minutes. See photo at the bottom of this post for a visual of the egg whites. Fold into cupcake batter. The batter will be smooth, velvety, and slightly thick. Divide batter among 12 cupcake liners (or 24 mini) and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Bake for 8-9 minutes if making mini cupcakes. Allow cupcakes to cool.
5. In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed for 1 minute. Switch the mixer to low speed and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar until combined. Quickly stir the cooled white chocolate with a spoon so that it is smooth and pour into the creamed butter/sugar. Switch the mixer to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes until combined and creamy. Add the cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat for 1-2 minutes until combined. I used a Wilton 1M swirl piping tip to pipe the frosting. You may use any piping tip or a knife. Decorate as you please with sprinkles, candies, etc.
6. Make ahead tip: Cupcakes can be made ahead 1 day in advance, covered, and stored at room temperature. Frosting can also be made 1 day in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Decorate/assemble cupcakes immediately before serving. Leftover cupcakes keep well covered tightly at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3 days. Frosted or unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.