"My Favorite" Vanilla Cupcakes

1 3/4 cups cake flour

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, room temperature, cut into small cubes

4 eggs

1 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, optional but recommended

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; mix briefly.

With mixer on low, drop in butter, a few cubes at a time, until butter in all in and mix resembles coarse sand.

Add eggs, one at a time, on low speed, mixing only until just incorporated.

Slowly pour in milk and vanilla. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes until batter is smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

Fill liners 2/3 full and bake for 15-20 minutes until centers are set and toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.