Happy Cupcake Day

We made spice cake & browned butter icing from scratch- got half a batch of cupcakes and a heart layer all done during the baby's nap. The cake came out better than the cupcakes because it is so incredibly moist.

Mix together in small bowl:

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

In a medium bowl beat until fluffy:

1/4 c butter

1/4 c shortening

Add & beat until well combined:

1 1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Add, beating well after each one:

2 eggs

Add dry mixture to the medium bowl, alternately with

1 1/4 c buttermilk (we used sour milk - 1 TB lemon juice combined with 1 c milk for 5 min)

Beat just until combined after each addition.

Pour into floured pans and bake at 350 - 20 min for cupcakes, 30 minutes for layers.

Meanwhile prepare the icing.

Browned Butter Icing

Melt 1/2 cup butter in saucepan and keep over low heat until delicately brown. Remove from heat and pour into small bowl. Sift 4 cups (an entire box) of powdered sugar over the butter and add 2-3 TB milk, plus 1 tsp vanilla. Beat on low until smooth. Add milk as necessary to achieve consistency for spreading.