# What You'll Need:
→ Cupcake Base
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
→ Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - Gel food coloring in pastel pink, yellow, green, blue, and purple
→ Decoration
15 - Edible butterfly decorations or wafer paper butterflies
16 - Sprinkles (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Beat the eggs into the mixture one at a time, ensuring full incorporation after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Add the dry mixture in two parts, alternating with whole milk, mixing just until batter is smooth.
06 - Divide batter equally among prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
08 - In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low until combined.
09 - Add milk and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the buttercream is light and fluffy.
10 - Divide buttercream evenly among 4 or 5 bowls and tint each portion with a different pastel gel color. Spoon alternating colors side by side into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
11 - Pipe generous swirls of pastel buttercream onto the cooled cupcakes.
12 - Finish each cupcake with butterfly decorations and sprinkles to preference.
