Vanilla Cupcakes

These are a great basic vanilla cupcake.  Easy and tasty.  I have substituted coconut oil for the butter with success.  I have also substituted maple syrup (I use less, because that is my goal) for the sugar.  It is pretty forgiving.  I'll have to post the strawberry frosting one day.  It tastes like strawberry ice cream.  

Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter, softened

1 3/4 cups sugar (or alternative, be daring)

4 eggs (works with 8 yolks, as well)

2 teaspoons of vanilla

3 cups flour of choice (more starch will make a lighter cake)

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon xanthan gum (I've also used psyllium; stir it into the milk and let it sit for a minute)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 milk of choice 

Directions:

Cream the butter and sugar.  (If you  are using maple syrup or liquid sweetener, add with the eggs).  Add the eggs and vanilla.   Blend the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.  Beat in 1/3 of the dry, 1/2 the milk, 1/3 of the dry, the rest of the milk and then the rest of the dry.  Bake at 350* for 20 minutes for cupcakes or 30 for a 9" round.  Makes 24 cupcakes or two 9" cakes.