Vanilla Lavender Cupcakes with Honey Frosting

I made these tasty little cakes last Sunday for Father's Day.  Since my dad is more of a vanilla guy, I decided to make a batch of my family's favorite vanilla cupcakes.

My dad recently bought me a new cupcake recipe book (I think it's his way of asking me to make more cupcakes!) with a bunch of recipes I have never made before.  The first recipe I decided to try from my new book was a honey lavender frosting.  It was absolutely delicious, and I will definitely make it again!

Thanks for reading!!

Vanilla Cupcakes (found here)

• 1 3/4 C cake flour, not self-rising
• 1 1/4 C unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 C sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 C whole milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp vanilla lavender sugar (purchased here)
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• 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.
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• 2. In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. 
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• 3. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 2/3 full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.
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• 4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat process with remaining batter. Once cupcakes have cooled, frost with honey lavender frosting.

 

Honey Frosting (found here)

1/2 C (1 stick) butter, softened

8 oz. cream cheese, softened (1 package)

1/2 C honey

5-7 C powdered sugar

Fresh lavender

Vanilla lavender sugar (purchased here)

1. Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with a mixer until creamy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at a low speed until blended. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes until creamy. Makes 3 cups.

Lavender Brittle (found here)

Cooking spray

1/2 C sugar

1/4 C water

1 tsp lavender

1. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty foil; coat with cooking spray.

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring gently until sugar dissolves. Cook 4 minutes or until golden. (Do not stir). Remove from heat; carefully stir in lavender. Rapidly spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely; break into pieces. Makes 1/2 C.