Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
User Reviews
5
Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
Description
The vanilla cupcakes are made by combining common baking ingredients such as all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, melted butter, egg whites, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract. The sour cream and milk contribute moisture and a tender crumb. Mixing is done carefully to avoid overmixing and maintain lightness. The batter is portioned into lined muffin cups and baked until the tops spring back when touched, indicating doneness.
While the cupcakes cool, a vanilla buttercream frosting is prepared by beating softened butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and milk or half-and-half to achieve a smooth, fluffy consistency. This frosting is piped or spread onto the cooled cupcakes and optionally topped with sprinkles for added texture and appearance.
This recipe can also be adapted to bake as a sheet cake by adjusting baking time and pan size. The cupcake base is versatile, lending itself to variations by folding in sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or themed sprinkles for seasonal versions. The cupcakes can be made in advance with frosting added just before serving to keep freshness.
Storage recommendations include keeping unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container, and storing frosting in the refrigerator before use. The recipe yields a classic, balanced vanilla cupcake suitable for celebrations or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Vanilla Cake
- 1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter melted, unsalted
- 3 egg room temperature, white
- ½ cup sour cream room temperature
- ½ cup milk room temperature, whole
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup butter softened, unsalted
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
- Sprinkles for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
- To make the cake, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, mix butter, egg whites, sour cream, milk, and vanilla with a hand mixer. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined, but do not overmix.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until the tops spring back when touched lightly. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- While cupcakes cool, make the frosting: Beat butter with a hand mixer on low speed until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and 1 tablespoon milk and mix. Add additional milk as needed to make a smooth frosting. Increase the speed to high and beat 3–5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles.
Notes
- You can make cupcakes and frosting up to a day ahead; wait to frost until just before serving to keep freshness.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature and refrigerate frosting until use.
- To make a cake instead of cupcakes, bake batter in a 9x13-inch or 7x11-inch pan, adjusting baking time to 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Variations include folding rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or holiday-themed sprinkles into the batter before baking for different flavors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 387 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 387kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 59mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 73mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 92mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 35g | 70% |
| Vitamin A | 681IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 44mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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