GOLDEN VANILLA CUPCAKES
(ORIGINAL VERSION)

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners or butter and flour the tins; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy with an electric mixer on high speed.
Gradually beat in the sugar until very light and fluffy.  Lower the mixer speed to medium. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, the egg yolk and the vanilla. Lower the flour mixer speed to low. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with
the milk, just until blended.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins three quarters full.
Bake until the tops of the cupcakes are springy when lightly pressed with a fingertip but not quite golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Cool muffins for 15 minutes in the muffin tin on a wire rack.
Makes 12 cupcakes.

GOLDEN VANILLA CUPCAKES
(ENLARGED VERSION)

6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
13 teaspoons salt
4 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 cups sugar
8 eggs
4 egg yolks
8-1/2teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners or butter and flour the tins; set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy with an electric mixer on high speed.
Gradually beat in the sugar until very light and fluffy.  Lower the mixer speed to medium. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, the egg yolk and the vanilla. Lower the flour mixer speed to low. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with
the milk, just until blended.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins three quarters full.
Bake until the tops of the cupcakes are springy when lightly pressed with a fingertip but not quite golden, 20 to 22 minutes. Cool muffins for 15 minutes in the muffin tin on a wire rack.
Makes: 52 cupcakes.