Vanilla Cupcakes with Milk Tart Buttercream

Dr Natasche Daniels started the beautiful initiative ‘Cupcakes For Hope’ and she shares her special vanilla cupcake recipe with us!

Recipes by Natasche Daniels

Ingredients:

  • 125g unsalted butter
  • 200ml/ 170g Castor Sugar
  • 5ml Vanilla Essence
  • 2 eggs
  • 500ml/280g self-raising flour
  • 2ml salt
  • 200ml milk
  • Equipment:
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Sift
  • Electric Mixer
  • Utensils
  • Measuring cups
  • Cupcake tray and holders

How To Make Vanilla Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven 200 degrees
  2. Place cupcake holders in tray
  3. Cream butter and castor sugar until smooth and creamy
  4. Add Vanilla Essence and Eggs, beat together well
  5. Fold in sifted flour and salt alternatively with milk
  6. Spoon mixture into cupcake holders until ¾ full
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes
  8. Wait to cool down and then start icing

Ingredients:

  • 250g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups icing sugar, sifted
  • 3 Tbsp milk
  • 2 Tbsp custard powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon (plus extra for dusting)
  • Pinch of salt

How To Make Milk Tart Buttercream

  1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in the custard powder until fully dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken slightly—about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and let it cool completely to room temperature
  4. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale, fluffy, and smooth—about 3–5 minutes.
  5. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
  6. Pour in the cooled custard mixture, vanilla essence, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
  7. Beat until the buttercream is smooth, creamy, and fully combined. If it feels too soft, add a little more icing sugar. If too stiff, add a splash of milk.
  8. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes, cakes, or cookies. For an authentic milk tart finish, dust lightly with ground cinnamon just before serving.

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