Birthday Sweets

We made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and iced them with Meringue frosting.It was my first time using this type of icing and it was not only delicious but it creates a glossing topping for the cupcakes. Instead of icing the cupcakes we just dipped them in the icing with was much faster and gave a smoother finish. Then added sprinkles and a bubble gum ball to finish them off.

YELLOW CAKE

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups milk

Directions

1. Cream butter.
2. Add sugar, mix until light.
3. Add eggs and vanilla beat until fluffy.
4. Mix dry ingredients together.
5. Combine both the dry and butter mixtures until blended.
6. Pour into cupcake holders.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden. To check to see if they are done on the inside poke a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean they are done.

WHIPPED MERINGUE FROSTING

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup egg whites (3 large eggs)
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 teas vanilla

Directions

1. In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of water, combine egg whites, sugar, salt and water.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved, 2-3 minutes.
3. Transfer to a large bowl.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high until glossy, stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Do not over beat.
5. Reduce speed to low and add vanilla, mix till blended. Use right away.
6. Frost the cupcakes by dipping the cooled cupcake into the frosting. Turn the cupcake in the frosting and pull up, this will form a nice peak in the cupcakes center.