Trader Joe's Vanilla Bean Paste

If you have a trader Joe's, I recommend the Vanilla Bean Paste for your baking. One Tablespoon is equivalent to 1 whole Vanilla Bean. And a 4 oz jar equals 12 tablespoons of paste. At less than $5 a jar. Yes, I am going to have to bribe Erin in to sending me shipments! I love this stuff.

You use it in place of vanilla 1 teaspoon equals 1 teaspoon. So truly quite a savings.

I know with the family fitness going, I just have post this for a day off. So wonderful!

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 vanilla beans, split and black goo scraped out and reserved (or use 1TBS vanilla paste

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (1/2 cup-12 capacity) muffin tins with cupcake papers.

In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and vanilla bean goo until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended.Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Frost with your favorite homemade Chocolate Frosting