Posted on by Deb

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

A Celebration

Silver cupcake flowers

“Some things don’t ever change their value, he said.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

Be kind, be gracious, a new year is arriving and we have dessert for the celebration! Vanilla was nudging me. Past the river of chocolate and butter of Christmas. Clean, fresh, sweet, a refreshing bath of flavor to begin a new year. It tugged and melted into a pool of bright silver light worthy of a celebration. Happy New Year!

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcake

Essentials

Searching for Christmas cookies, I have been reading my Mom’s Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book. There is an entire chapter of cakes and another of frosting and fillings. Published in 1950, before the flood of convenience foods the very last chapter is called “Short Cuts”. There is a fleeting mention of packaged cake mixes. Recipes are straightforward with easy instructions. The cake and frosting recipes have ingredients listed for both large (9”) and small (8”) cakes. Why don’t all baking books include such useful information? Some things haven’t changed. I found recipes for caramel, browned butter, making chocolate curls and Maple Syrup Icing. Fresh Orange Cake and Exquisite Coconut Cake have been bookmarked. The color food photography is spare and elegantly retro. Similar to many food blogs the book has many (black and white) instructional photos. The recipes were all tested and include “extra tips, pointers and secrets”. This is one vintage American cookbook that would be a fine addition to any cook’s library.

Making cupcakes

These cupcakes are amazingly light and aromatic with vanilla seeds in every bite. The Seven Minute Frosting is fabulous paired with the vanilla cream stuffed cupcake. Similar to marshmallow cream the frosting develops a light crust with a soft crunch that is even better the day after baking. I used three recipes from Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book of 1950 for the Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes: Delicious White Cake, Double Boiler Frosting (7-Minute) and Cream Filling. Searching the web I found several recipes for the Seven-Minute Frosting but not the other two recipes. I am including the original Betty Crocker recipes for an 8 inch cake and cream filling with my changes and the addition of more vanilla.

Vanilla Cream Filling
3 egg yolks (reserve the whites for the cupcakes)
3T sugar
2t cornstarch
1/3t fine grain sea salt
3/4C cream
1 vanilla bean, scraped of seeds or 1t vanilla bean paste
1t vanilla extract
Delicious White Vanilla Cake
2-1/4C cake flour
2-1/2t baking powder
3/4t fine grain sea salt
1/2C unsalted butter, softened
1-1/3C sugar
1 vanilla bean, scraped of seeds or 1t vanilla bean paste
1t vanilla extract
1C 2% milk
3 egg whites (reserve the yolks for the cream filling)
1 recipe of Seven-Minute Frosting
1/2C silver and white sprinkles

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

  1. To make Vanilla Cream Filling: In a medium sized bowl whisk the egg yolks together.
  2. In a medium saucepan whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt and cream. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. While stirring, boil for one minute and then remove the pan from the heat. Temper the eggs by pouring a half cup of the hot mixture into the eggs while whisking to combine. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and return the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Boil for 1-2 minutes until very thick. Cool completely before filling the cupcakes. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the cream while it cools to prevent a skin from forming.
  3. To make the Delicious White Vanilla Cake: Heat oven to 350°. In a medium size bowl sift together or shake through a large sieve the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the butter until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar, vanilla bean seeds and the vanilla extract, beat until pale yellow in color. Add the flour mixture and milk alternately, mixing to combine between additions. Do not over mix. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure all the ingredients are combined.
  5. In a spotlessly clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the cake batter. Fill cupcakes liners 2/3 full. Bake for 18-23 minutes. The cupcakes are done when a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out cleanly. Cool the cupcakes before filling and frosting.
  6. With a small spoon remove a teaspoon size of cake from the top center of each cupcake. Fill the cavity with cooled Vanilla Cream Filling. Frost the cupcakes with Seven Minute Frosting and decorate with sprinkles before the frosting sets.

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes

44 Replies to “Fragrant Vanilla Cupcakes”

  1. Beautiful……

    Like the sound of the cookbook and am looking forward to the Maple Syrup Icing, the Fresh Orange Cake and the Exquisite Coconut Cake!

    1. Oh Oz, thank you! The Fresh Orange Cake has been on my mind. It is citrus season here in California.

    1. Such a lovely comment Tiffany! Chubby, glossy vanilla beans are so aromatic and phenomenal to bake with!

  5. Adorable cupcakes! And that vintage Betty Crocker cookbook? i have it. it’s flawless, and it serves as such a nice, refreshing reminder that we all don’t need to be molecular gastronomy-ing ourselves to death when cooking and baking. There’s a good reason we all love our grandma’s recipes, and it’s not because it came from some fancy, technique-y cookbook. In fact, chances are some of those recipes came from this fine library addition. 🙂 happy new year to you, Deb!

    1. Thank you for the lovely comment Shannon! The accuracy and detail of the early Betty Crocker cookbooks have me wondering about the need for all my my “new” baking cookbooks! Happy New Year!

  9. Lovely finish to 2013 and start to 2014. I have a vintage 1954 first edition Good and Easy Betty Crocker cookbook from my mom. It’s an absolute gem – I have to spend more time going through it. Here’s hoping 2014 brings an in-person meet-up!

  10. Baking with vanilla beans is a complete different ball game. I just love it. These cupcakes are the perfect example Deb! I have an old BC cookbook too, and many others including one from Ann Pillsbury from the 30’s I think. It’s amazing how great vintage recipes are. Baking hasn’t evolved that much, imo, and I especially love it! Have a great 2014, it’s been so great to get to know you!

    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Paula! I will look into the Ann Pillsbury cookbook, it is new to me. Wishing you the best in 2014!

    1. Thank you for the lovely comment Gerlinde! I think your husband would enjoy these cupcakes, mine did!

  13. Deb, vanilla beans dress up even the most simple of sweets. There is something elegantly inviting about a vanilla cupcake; nothing complicatedly confusing to the taste buds, just the delicious essence of vanilla.

    I have so enjoyed following your blog and sharing in your traveling adventures over the past year. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2014.

    1. Thank you for the inspiring comment Mary! I appreciate the support and thoughts you have shared this year. I am looking forward to 2014!

  14. How gorgeous and festive! I love the dusky lighting in the last photos — so ethereal. 🙂 These are perfect for New Year’s. Thanks for posting these lovely cupcakes!

  15. the fragrance of vanilla, what a way to start the new year! Delightful and oh such a sweet morsel, beautiful !
    wishing you a very happy new year x

  17. Beautiful cupcakes, Deb! I just ordered some vanilla beans to make my own extract, but I will have to set some aside to try these. Happy New Year! 🙂

    1. Thank you for the lovely comment Laura! Your kind thoughts are very much appreciated! Happy New Year!

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