Cupcake Calendar 2/12/08

I've been a little slacking on the baking lately, but a couple weeks ago I made White Chocolate and Vanilla Chai cupcakes. The cupcakes could have used a little more spice since the frosting was so sweet, but over all they were pretty good.

White Chocolate and Vanilla Chai Cupcakes
(from the book 500 Cupcakes)

For the cupcakes:
- 2 cups self-rising flour
-1/4 tsp baking powder
-pinch of salt
-1 tbsp chai tea powder (mine was chai latte powder, don't know if that made a difference??)
-1/4 cup (1/2 stick) sweet butter, softened
-3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
-2 egg whites
-2/3 cup buttermilk
-1/2 cup white chocolate chips
-1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting:
-1 cup cream cheese, softened
-1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
-1 tbsp lemon juice
-1 tsp vanilla extract

Cupcakes:
-Preheat the oven to 350.
-In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and chai powder
-In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth
-Add egg whites slowly, beating well
-Slowly add the flour mixture and buttermilk. Mix until combined
-Add the white chocolate chips and vanilla extract
-Bake 20 minutes

Frosting:
-Mix cream cheese and confectioners' sugar together in medium bowl and beat until soft and light.
-Add lemon and vanilla, and beat until smooth
-Spoon over cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes. Store unfrosted in airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.