Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes 12 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2/3 cup whole milk, at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low; beat in half of the flour mixture, then all of the milk, then the remaining flour mixture until just combined. Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool 5 minutes, then remove the cupcakes to the rack to cool completely.