• 2 1/2 cups cake flour sifted
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 egg whites (at room temperature)
• food coloring (primary colors: red, blue, yellow, green)

Decorations

• 15 cupcake liners
• 2 cups Lucky Charms brand cereal
• gold wrapped chocolate coins (optional)

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Line two 12-muffin tins with cupcake liners. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add butter, 3/4 cup of milk, vanilla, and almond extract and beat on low until blended. Increase speed to high and beat for another two minutes. With a spatula, scrape the sides of the bowl and add the remaining 1/4 cup milk and egg whites. Beat for 30 seconds on high.

Separate the batter equally into 5 small bowls. Add the food coloring one drop at a time to make up the colors: red, orange, yellow, green and blue. You can also add purple, but I skip it so the cupcakes do not get too dark on top. Once you have the colors at your desired hue (remember they do darken slightly while baking), spoon each color one at a time into the liners. Try to pour the batter into the middle of the liner in a steady stream, so it spreads evenly. Continue with each color until all of your tins are  1/2 to 3/4 full. Place the muffin tins on the center rack and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the cupcakes and let cool completely.

Vanilla Frosting

• 3 sticks + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cubed
• 3 cups sifted confectioners sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

To start your frosting, whip the butter on medium speed for 8 minutes. Once the butter is creamy, add the sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt and mix on low for 1 minute. Turn up the speed to medium and continue to mix for another 6 minutes. Add green food coloring to the frosting to get a pale green color. Top the cooled cupcakes with your frosting in an even layer. Immediately top with a sprinkle of Lucky Charms brand cereal and repeat until all cupcakes are complete.

I love making these cupcakes and giving them to people as a little St. Patrick’s Day treat! They are always surprised when they bite in and see all of the rainbow colors. The cake and frosting recipes are also good to keep on hand for a quick cupcake anytime. Enjoy!