Parade Cupcakes Food

"PARADE" CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two twelve-holed muffin pans with baking cups; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale, light, and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. With the mixer running, add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined.
• With mixer on low speed, add 1 cup reserved flour mixture; mix until combined. Add 1/2 cup buttermilk; combine. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with flour, until all has been incorporated.
• Fill each baking cup with 1/4 cup batter; batter should almost reach tops of cups. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer tins to a wire rack to cool.
• Remove the cupcakes from tins, and frost with cream-cheese frosting. If desired, use a pastry bag fitted with a plain writing tip to pipe letters or designs onto cupcakes. Decorate with berries, sprinkles, and nonpareils.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING FOR "PARADE" CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract on low speed until smooth. Gradually add the sugar a little at a time, incorporating it into the butter mixture before adding more. Beat until easy to spread. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container up to 3 days.