# Components:
→ 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, room temperature
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
→ Pastel Butterfly Buttercream
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
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
05 - Add half of dry mixture to the creamed butter, mix gently, then add half the milk. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and milk, mixing just until batter is smooth.
06 - Divide the batter evenly into prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18–20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
07 - Beat softened butter on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low. Add the milk and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed for 2–3 minutes until buttercream is light and airy.
08 - Divide buttercream among several bowls. Tint each portion with one pastel gel color, mixing thoroughly to achieve uniform shades.
09 - Fit a piping bag with a large star tip. Spoon alternate colored buttercream side by side into the bag for a swirled appearance. Pipe generously onto cooled cupcakes in a swirling motion.
10 - Top each cupcake with butterfly decorations and sprinkles as desired.
