Vanilla Cupcakes
These classic vanilla cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweet vanilla flavor. Made from basic pantry staples and topped with rich buttercream frosting, they’re the perfect go-to dessert for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you need a comforting treat.
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 436kcal
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs room temperature
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer for 1–2 minutes, until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
- Slowly mix in the melted butter and vanilla extract until combined.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, mixing gently and scraping down the bowl as needed. Stir until just combined—do not overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
To Make the Frosting:
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners' sugar using an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and heavy whipping cream. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your desired tip and frost the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
If the batter seems too thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches a smooth consistency.
Avoid opening the oven early while baking to prevent deflating the cupcakes.
For best results, make sure ingredients like eggs and butter are at room temperature.