Maple Syrup Cupcakes

The Olympics are upon us and what better than to celebrate being Canadian (ish) than with maple syrup!

I’m completely addicted to the Olympics, with 4 stations covering every single second of the action.

I am sure I will experience some sort of post- Avatar comedown depression experience after they are over, but until then…

[Also] I may suggest a new Olympic event – Running from Canada Post to Canada Post trying to find your lost documents before time runs out!

Maple Syrup Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

(godbless http://www.bakingbites.com  my continuous resource for all things cake)

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature

• 2/3 cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup buttermilk

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light.
4. Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
5. Stir in buttermilk and maple syrup.
6. Gradually blend in the flour mixture, stirring only until batter is just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.
7. Divide evenly into prepared muffin tin.
8. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.. Turn cupcakes out on to a wire rack to cool before frosting.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Maple Buttercream

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature

• 2 tbsp maple syrup, room temperature

• 2-3 tbsp milk, room temperature

• 2-3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. Combine butter, maple syrup, milk and 2 cups confectioners sugar in a large bowl and beat at medium-high speed until smooth.
2. Add remaining sugar in gradually until frosting is thick enough to spread easily. You may not use all the sugar. If icing is too dry, add additional milk until desired consistency is reached.

Spread or pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

• baking
• cupcakes
• maple syrup