Ingredients

  • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract
  • 2 tablespoons pureed fresh raspberries
  • Champagne Buttercream Frosting, recipe follows
  • 1 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons Champagne, or 1 tablespoon Champagne flavoring

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a regular-size cupcake pan with 18 cupcake liners.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, add the sifted dry ingredients and mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
  • Slowly add the oil to the mixture until fine crumbs are formed.
  • Add the eggs, milk, raspberry extract, and pureed raspberries and mix on low speed for 1 minute.
  • Stop and scrape the bowl and paddle, and then mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until baked through, about 20 minutes.
  • Do not open the oven during this time.
  • Cool cupcakes completely after baking.
  • Put the Champagne Buttercream Frosting into a pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip.
  • Frost each cupcake in a circular motion until the top of the cupcake is completely covered and serve.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the butter until creamed.
  • Add the powdered sugar and champagne and mix until the ingredients are evenly incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy.