Daydream Believer Cupcakes

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line muffin tins with cupcake papers.

   Step 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, oil, vanilla, and almond extract. Slowly add buttermilk while whisking.

   Step 3

   In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the cake flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Slice the butter and add it to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed for 3 minutes. Keep the mixer on low speed as you add the buttermilk mixture. Pause occasionally to scrape down sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition. Batter should be smooth.

   Step 4

   Scoop into muffin tin and bake until tops are springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely before icing.

   Step 5

   While cupcakes are baking and cooling, make the buttercream. Using the mixer, beat the butter and salt together until light, fluffy, and considerably paler, approximately 3 to 5 minutes on medium speed. Add the vanilla and apricot preserves and beat for 2 more minutes.

   Step 6

   Add cream and sugar in parts, beating thoroughly between additions, until icing is fluffy, holds its shape on a spoon, and no longer looks shiny. (You may not need all of the cream.) Frost those cupcakes! If desired, warm some apricot preserves and drizzle over the tops.