Red Nose Day: Comic Relief

Courtney here!


When you are busy with a 14 week old and a two and a half year old, sometimes you don't think past afternoon nap time, let alone about what is going on in the world, and ways we can help other people out. I get so consumed with everyday life- making sure I am doing enough tummy time with Cole, getting Cece to ballet class on time, laundry, clean diapers and everything else in between.


But every two years, in the United Kingdom, when February rolls around, grocery stores, radio stations and tv commercials start plastering "Red Nose Day" everywhere. Red Nose Day is a way to get England fundraising money for people locally in need and also for people in Africa since 1988. They sell Red Nose Day apparel, have fun ways for schools, work places and other organizations to get involved in fundraising. Radio DJs set personal goals for their audiences, once the money is raised, they will do something crazy to thank their listeners. The country literally raises millions of pounds for the organization Comic Relief!

Comic Relief helps out local British needs and also the needs in Africa. They have a night in March of comedy and entertainment aired on BBC to inspire the nation to call in and donate money.

    

Cecelia is obsessed with helping me bake at the moment. She loves to stir the batter. So, lately we have been making a lot of cupcakes! To get in the Red Nose Day spirit I bought their cupcake kit and off we went- baking fabulous vanilla cupcakes!

It must be the week of cupcakes, since Chloe just posted those beautiful St. Patty's Day cupcakes earlier this week! I am sharing the recipe I used for vanilla cupcakes I found below. I got the recipe from a fellow blogger, Sally's Baking Addiction.

In other news, Cole is getting big so fast! He wants to be sitting up at all times, the door bouncer has been a life saver some days. He just hangs from whatever door I am in the room doing something, and as long as he can see me he is a happy little chap!

Vanilla Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/3 cups (292g) all-purpose flour

• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 12 Tablespoons (180g) unsalted butter, softened too room temperature*

• 1 and 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature and separated

• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk*

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners. This recipe only makes 16-18 cupcakes, so you will have 4-6 cupcakes to bake in a 2nd batch.
2. For the cupcakes: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy - about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on high speed for 3-4 minutes until creamed together fairly well. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add two egg yolks and the vanilla. (Set the egg whites aside.) Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the whole milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Whisk or beat the 2 egg whites until thick and foamy, about 3 minutes. See photo below the recipe for a visual. Fold into cupcake batter. The batter will be smooth, velvety, and slightly thick.
4. Spoon batter into cupcake liners filling halfway full. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Don't overbake; your cupcakes will dry out. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful Saturday and enjoy these really good vanilla cupcakes! 

Cheerio,

Courtney