These are the first cupcakes I’ve made since we moved into our new house. It’s hard to believe it took me this long =). Lately, I’ve been obsessed with malted milk anything, so I decided to make some malt cupcakes. They turned out great! I love the flavor that the malted milk powder adds – it’s subtle but definitely adds a little complexity. I think most people associate malted milk with whoppers, but I wanted to combine malted milk with vanilla bean instead of chocolate – yum! I’m not a huge whopper fan (although these cookies are pretty awesome!) so don’t think that if you don’t like whoppers you won’t like these cupcakes. I’m sure these are just the first of many cupcakes I’ll make in our new house – at least I hope so! Enjoy!
Vanilla Bean Malt Cupcakes
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2-1/2 tbsp malted milk powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
5 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla bean paste
1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk + lemon juice)
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 10 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Combine butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer and beat with paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla bean paste and beat until smooth.
3. In separate bowl, combine flour, milk powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add 1/2 the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Add buttermilk and mix until combined. Add remaining flour mixture until combined – being careful not to overmix.
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. Cool completely before icing. Makes 10 cupcakes.
Vanilla Bean Malted Milk Frosting
6 tbsp butter
6 oz cream cheese
1 (generous) cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp malted milk powder
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1. In bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy – 1-2 minutes.
2. Add powdered sugar and milk powder and beat until smooth. Add vanilla bean paste and beat 1 minute more.
3. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
