4th Of July "Firecracker" Vanilla Cupcakes

Tasty ~ Pretty & Fun
These pretty little cupcakes are
simple to make with a popping surprise.

Cake Ingredients: 

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream

Frosting Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

2 small individual envelopes pop rocks

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Line a 12 cup standard muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed. Add the butter and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 1 minute or just until the butter is blended in.

Beat in the sifted ingredients on low speed just until they are mixed in. (Be careful not to over mix the batter.) Mix in thAllow them to e sour cream until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one cake comes out clean.

Transfer the cupcake pan to a wire rack to cool. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Add the softened butter to a medium to large bowl. Beat at medium speed for 30 seconds to make smooth and creamy.

Add the powdered sugar, cream and vanilla, Beat at low speed to mix in the sugar, then increase the speed to high, Beat for 3 minutes and add an additional tablespoon of cream as needed. (The frosting should be a consistency for spreading or piping.

Top the cooled cakes with the frosting. Just before serving, sprinkle with the poprocks. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Notes:

If you aren't serving the cupcakes right away, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Allow them to come to room temperature before serving and sprinkling with the poprocks.

These moist cupcakes are simple and quick to make. Much better than cakemix cakes!