Cupcakes

I made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for Anderson's birthday party. Then they were both topped with the best buttercream icing in the world!

I found this recipe with my sister in Thomas Keller's ad hoc cookbook.

It is a little bit of work - but oh so worth it. Everyone really liked this icing because it was not so super sweet (it allows for a big fancy pile of it on top of a cupcake).

Here is the recipe for the icing (the cupcakes were also from the came cookbook and were great - but nothing super special).

The Best Buttercream Icing Ever

3/4 cup egg whites

2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 - 2 cups butter, at room temperature

2 tsp vanilla

Place the bowl of a stand mixer over a large pot of boiling water, put in the egg white and sugar, and whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved.

Remove the bowl and immediately place in the stand mixer and using the whisk attachment, whisk until stiff peaks form (about 10-12 minutes).

Switch to the paddle attachment at medium speed, slowly add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, making sure it is fully incorporated before adding more.

The icing will change consistency at the very end of the butter, if it does not change, add a little bit more butter.

Add vanilla, and beat until incorporated.