This Recipe Will Give You a Dozen Cupcakes While Only Using One Stick of Butter

If there is one thing that I’ve learned so far in 2022, it is that I love baking. I never once pictured myself spending a lot of time in the kitchen, yet here I am experimenting with recipes on the weekends and draining my bank account buying supplies.

A factor that I can’t seem to avoid is always being almost out of ingredients. Somehow, I never pick up enough from the market and always need to make a return trip. So, imagine my excitement when I learned of Joy the Baker and her small-batch frosted cupcakes that only require one stick of butter! Yes, one stick!

The ingredient list is quite simple and the recipe yields 12 miniature cupcakes total. Taking a sort of unconventional approach, start by whisking together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the softened butter, and using an electric hand beater, work the butter into the mix. The result should be a sandy mixture — which is how you know you’re on the right track.

Next, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract until the yolk and whites are well-combined. Combine with dry ingredients all at once into your wet ingredients. The batter at this point should be smooth and glossy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl; you are going to need every bit of this batter. Next, line a muffin tin with cupcake papers and fill each about 3/4 of the way full of cake batter. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until puffy and golden.  

While the cakes cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, the remaining butter, milk, and a dash of vanilla extract. At this point, feel free to add a few dashes of whatever food coloring you like, too. Spread the frosting over each cupcake using a butter knife or an offset spatula. Lastly, to brighten up the day a little bit more, add sprinkles on top and enjoy!  

The full recipe can be found here and I for one cannot wait to try it out myself. Now that you’re already riding the budget train, I feel obligated to put you on to these soda cupcakes — which use only three ingredients and costs less than $5 to make! And while you’re at it, check out the new baking essential recently released by Great Jones, adding to the multitude of kitchen supplies we know and love.