Vanilla Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

Happy Valentines Day!!

Ahhh, the day to celebrate love.  I hope your special someone remembered you--at least in time to grab something at the store on the way home from work!  I typically end up with a bunch of flowers from Costco.  I guess my husband knows nothing says "I love you" to me more than saving money--and great cupcakes!!!

This was a combination inspired by my friend Heather.  We had it at our Valentines Party and the girls devoured all of them!

Cake:

2 sticks (1 c.) butter, softened

1½ c. all-purpose flour

1½ c. cake flour

1 T. baking powder

½ t. salt

1¾ c. sugar

4 large eggs

2 t. vanilla extract

1¼ c. buttermilk

Filling:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 small package vanilla pudding

1 c. milk

Frosting:

2 T. milk

1/4 c. butter, softened

1 t. vanilla

3-4 c. powdered sugar

8 oz. marshmallow creme

1.  To make the cupcakes, preheat oven to 350˚ degrees.  Line the muffins tins with cupcake liners.  In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt; whisk together to blend well and set aside.

2.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar.  Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.  Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Blend in the vanilla.  With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk.  Beat each addition just until incorporated.

3.  Divide the batter equally between muffin tins (a large scoop works awesome for this). Bake, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool completely.

4.  While cupcakes are cooling mix filling ingredients together using an electric mixer until completely smooth.  Put in refrigerator until ready to use.

5.  For frosting, combine milk, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until well combined.  Add marshmallow creme and mix completely incorporated and smooth.  Set aside.

6.  To assemble cupcakes, cut a cone shaped piece out of the center of each cupcake.  Fill with pudding/cream cheese mixture and frost to your heart's delight.  Keep cupcakes cold until ready to use.  Serve and enjoy!

Sharing this with: Sew Chatty, A Southern Fairy Tale, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, CRAFT, Mess Hall to Bistro, Delectable Tuesdays, Craft Edition, Beauty and Bedlam, 33 Shades of Green, Happy Housewife, Blessed with Grace.