Periodic Table of Cupcakes

What a fun way of presenting these. Though I prefer something akin to Vanilla Roux Frosting on Red Velvet Cupcakes:

1 cup milk
5 Tbsp. flour
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a small saucepan, whisk the milk slowly into the flour. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until visibly thickened (it will thicken much more as it cools). Pour into a shallow bowl to cool and press some plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mixture to keep a skin from forming. Let cool completely. COMPLETELY.

Using an electric mixer cream together the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Beat in the flour mixture a tablespoon at a time until it’s all incorporated and the frosting is smooth and creamy/fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.

Makes enough for a 2-layer cake.