Vanilla is not sweet, but a small amount gives a lovely fragrance to cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods.
Ingredients
Dough
1 cup, 2 tbsp cake flour
1 ¼ tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 Pinch of salt
½ cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
Icing
400 g icing sugar
130 g butter
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp milk
Use an electric mixer for 2 – 3 mins instead of a whisk.
Method for vanilla cupcakes
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
Dough
Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together. In separate bowl, whisk egg and add liquids to mixture.
Mix liquids with dry ingredients and whisk very well until no lumps are left.
Line small or large muffin pans with paper cupcake holders.
Bake cupcakes at 180° C.
Icing
Mix everything together until fluffy and light. (Approximately 10 – 15 mins). Butter should be soft, but not melted.
Add food colouring of your choice and mix into the icing. Decorate cupcakes once they have been cooled down.