The Icing on the {Cup}cake

Since tomorrow is a certain someone's birthday, I decided to bake up a birthday treat! Growing up, birthdays always meant one thing... homemade cake ;) So I was super excited to make my Z some homemade cupcakes. I may have cheated on the homemade part when it came to the actual cakes {ahem-I used a box-ahem} but I wanted to make the icing from scratch. I used my Nana's recipe for her famous, fluffy white icing... and let me tell ya', it did not disappoint ;) This icing is so delicious and a bit dangerous because it is so light and not too rich. {So I literally can eat ate it with a spoon!} My Nana always makes this icing for her yummy red velvet cake at Christmas... it is definitely the perfect combination! But when my Mom was growing up, my Nana would always make her a chocolate birthday cake with this fluffy white icing. So I copy-catted for my Z and made chocolate cupcakes with the famous white icing. And now I'm going to share this delicious recipe with you!! It's pretty easy and always SO yummy!

Here is all you need for the icing... 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of softened butter, 4 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup of milk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. I forgot to show both sticks of butter {yes, it calls for two- eek!}

Step one... cook the flour and milk over med-high heat until it thickens and begins to form a ball. Remove from heat and let cool completely. {This part is VERY important... one time I didn't let it cool and it was kinda disastrous}

Step two... cream the 2 sticks of softened butter with the sugar until well combined

Step three... add the *cooled* flour mixture one tablespoon at a time to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue mixing. Add the vanilla and beat until fluffy.

The icing should be light and fluffy. Check the consistency to be sure it is not gritty. Now you're ready for the cupcakes!

Don't skimp any... this stuff is too good! Thanks Nana for this yummy recipe!