Missing you Mom! Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Picking out Mother's Day Cards for other people's moms is never easy for me. This entire week leading up to Mother's Day is just not a favorite of mine. I just felt very bla. It made me not want to do anything, especially bake. This attitude would never have set right with my mom who was probably one of the most optimistic people I have ever known. She would always take the worst situations and make them ok. Always up for trying something new even at the age of 86. So why not? A new recipe which I know with her sweet tooth she would have loved to try! I like the way these came out. They are pretty, easy to make and taste delicious. Happy Mother's Day Mom! These are for you.

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes Ingredients 2 sticks of butter Unsalted 4 eggs at room temp 3 1/3 cups of flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1/2 Tsp salt 2 cups of sugar 1 1/3 cups of milk 1/4 cup of frozen pink lemonade concentrate thawed 1 tsp lemon extract Preheat oven to 350 Line 36 minis or 18 regular sized cupcake pans Beat butter & gradually add the sugar, a bit at a time until well mixed. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat 2 min more. If you want add a tiny bit of red food coloring. I had pink and added that.. Add the eggs one at a time. In another bowl stir together the dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) In a large mixing cup, Mix together milk, lemonade and extract Alternate the flour mix and the milk mix to the dry mixture. Beat on low until combined. For standard sized cupcakes, use 1/3 of a cup for each. For the minis I use a tablespoon. As usual I don't time anyting so I'm going to say set your timer for 10 min for the minis and then check. Add time as needed. For the standard, set the timer for 15 and then check. Test with a piece of pasta. Easy! Now for the frosting which is like drinking a glass of lemonade. The cake flavor is very mild so this is perfect. Pink Lemonade Buttercream 1 stick of butter unsalted and softened 4 cups of powdered sugar Thawed pink lemonade approx. 1/4 cup Mix butter and 2 cups of sugar and 1/4 cup of lemonade. Gradually add additional sugar and lemonade if needed. If you would like a pinker tint although I didn't think it was necessary you can add some pink food coloring. Pipe on top of cakes and sprinkle with white sprinkles or pink sugar crystals.