Little Miss Cupcake Sedaris

I love Amy Sedaris. She is hilaaaaaarious. She's adorable, as is her brother, and we have the same birthday! Some of you might already know that she does some cookin' and bakin' on the side, but I wanted to share her cupcake recipe, right out of her new book, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence."

This particular recipe was named for her bunny rabbit, Tattletail. Bunnies and cupcakes?? Ain't nothin more precious.

the following is an excerpt from her book:

TATTLETAIL'S VANILLA CUPCAKES:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. You will need: Unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, flour, milk.

Put 1 & 1/2 sticks of butter in mixer and beat at medium speed until somewhat smooth. Pour in 1 & 1/2 cups of sugar and beat well. Add 2 eggs. I like to crack the eggs on the side of the bowl while it is moving, which can be really stupid. I like to take chances. Yes, I have had to throw away my batter because I lost eggshells in the mix. Yes, it was a waste of food and yes, I know how expensive butter is, but what can I say? I'm a daredevil. Mix well. Add: 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla, 2 & 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 2 & 1/2 cups of flour, and 1 & 1/4 cups of milk. Beat until it looks like it is supposed to and pour into individual baking cups, until they are about two-thirds full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Should produce 24 cupcakes; I get 18 because I'm doing something wrong, although my cupcakes were voted second best in the city by New York magazine.

TATTLETAIL'S VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

In a bowl, combine 1 box (1 pound) of confectioners' sugar, 1 stick of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup of milk or light cream and beat for a while. Really whip it, don't be afraid to get in there. I occasionally add food coloring and sometimes substitute pure almond extract for vanilla.

If you do choose to add pure almond extract instead of vanilla, you're on your own. I don't know the measurement for it, but I do know it's less than the amount of vanilla you would add.