Vanilla Cupcakes

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. 2
   Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
3. 3
   Beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes.
4. 4
   Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.
5. 5
   Beat in the vanilla.
6. 6
   Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; beat in half of the flour mixture, then all of the milk, then the remaining flour mixture until just combined.
7. 7
   Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling each three-quarters full.
8. 8
   Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
9. 9
   Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes to the rack to cool completely.
10. 10
    Top with frosting.
11. 11
    Photograph by Levi Brown