Funfetti Cupcakes

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pans
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar
   In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Add eggs and vanilla
   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients
   With the mixer on low speed, add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
6. Fold in sprinkles
   Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles using a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix as this can cause the colors to bleed.
7. Bake the cupcakes
   Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the frosting and decorate
   Beat the softened butter for 3 minutes until creamy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream and vanilla. Beat for 5 minutes until fluffy. Pipe the frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes and top with additional rainbow sprinkles.