Lemon Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

I'm having a jewelry party tomorrow at a friends house and I decided to bring some Lemon Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream frosting.  Is always fun to bake cupcakes and decorate them too.  I'm sure people are going to enjoy them.

Lemon Cupcake Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
4 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
lemon zest from two lemons
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract

1. Center a rack in the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake tins by using liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.

4. Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and, working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light.

5. Beat in the extracts, then add one third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated.

6. Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients.

7. Finally, give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed. Place the batter into the cupcake tins.

8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are well risen and springy to the touch -- a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Source: Cafe Mom

 Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (one stick) of butter or margarine soften
1 tsp of vanilla extract (or any flavor you prefer)
4 cups of confectioners sugar
2 tbsp of water

In a large bowl beat the shortening and butter until nice and creamy.  Add the vanilla extract and beat. On  medium speed start adding the confectioners sugar, one cup at a time. It will appear dry, add the water..beat until creamy and fluffy scraping the sides of the bowl.  Add food coloring to the frosting.  Wilton Products offer a big selection of colors.  You can find all of their products at your local Michael's Craft store or Joan's Fabrics.
* Keep bowl covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.

To decorate your cupcakes really fancy, get a decorating tip and a frosting bag.