Vanilla Cupcakes

Published October 12, 2021. Updated November 17, 2021

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Celebrating 10 years of Cooking Classy with these perfect Vanilla Cupcakes! These are light and fluffy, soft and tender, deliciously sweet and brimming with vanilla flavor.

They’ll quickly become the highlight of any celebration!

Photo of three vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

Whether you are a long time follower or a new reader, I want to send a quick THANK YOU! I truly appreciate you visiting my site!

I started this blog 10 years ago as a hobby and it’s grown into more than I could have dreamed. I’m very grateful to you for making my recipes, leaving reviews and feedback, sending e-mails and for your support and readership!

For a quick laugh check out my first post here. Luckily I’ve learned a thing or two since then. :)

I hope we have 10+ more great years of tasty, tested and perfected recipes ahead of us!

Now onto these tempting vanilla cupcakes with a rich and fluffy, luscious buttercream frosting to celebrate!!

A batch of homemade vanilla cupcakes shown on a wooden serving platter over a blue cloth.

Photo of ingredients that are needed to make vanilla cupcakes recipe.

Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup (86g) cake flour (scoop and level to measure)
  • 2/3 cup (95g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, brought to room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, brought to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup whole milk, brought to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk, brought to room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Frosting ingredients listed in recipe box below if you’d like to include vanilla buttercream.

Collage of eight images showing how to make cupcake batter.

How to Make Vanilla Cupcakes

  1. Heat oven, prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup standard size muffin pan with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt (whisk it well), set aside.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in mixer: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer), cream together sugar and butter on low speed until combined, then increase to high speed and whip until very light and fluffy. Scrape down bowl.
  4. Blend in eggs: Add 1 egg and mix until blended, then mix in second egg and vanilla. Scrape down bowl.
  5. Add flour in additions with dairy: Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Add milk and mix just until combined. Add another 1/3 flour, mix. Add buttermilk, mix. Finish by mixing in last 1/3 of the flour mixture.
  6. Fold batter gently: Remove bowl from stand mixer and scrape bowl and gently fold mixture to ensure ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  7. Fill muffin cups 2/3 with batter: Divide batter among prepared muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full.
  8. Bake cupcakes until set: Bake in preheated oven just until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 17 to 23 minutes.
  9. Cool then frost: Let cool in pan for just a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Then frost with desired frosting.

Collage of four images showing completed batter, pouring cupcakes into cupcake pan, baked cupcakes and frosted cupcakes.

Using an Electric Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer

  • I have had success with this recipe using both a stand mixer and hand mixer.
  • A stand mixer requires more stopping and scraping the bowl, and a hand mixer is a little more tiresome but either one should give you a great end result.
  • Lately, I think I prefer the hand mixer method because I get annoyed scraping the bowl so much.
  • With a hand mixer you need to mix a little longer to get light and fluffy butter.

Close up photo of single vanilla cupcakes on a wooden dessert plate on a marble surface with a blue backdrop.

Why Use Cake Flour and All-Purpose Flour?

  • I like to use a blend of the two flours because by using cake flour we can add a little more liquid and it also makes cupcakes softer and more tender and fluffy.
  • Using all cake flour can have a tendency to dry cupcakes out some so I prefer the blend here.

Is There a Cake Flour Substitute?

  • If you don’t have cake flour, you can use the cake flour substitute of all purpose flour and cornstarch.
  • DIY cake flour ratio here would be 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour whisked with 4 tsp cornstarch.
  • Keep in mind the cupcakes just won’t be quite as soft and fluffy, but still delicious!

Is There a Buttermilk Substitute?

  • If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can use the substitute here which is milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar.
  • The ratio here would be 1/3 cup milk mixed with 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice.

Why Use Room Temperature Ingredients?

  • Room temperature ingredients will blend better (especially the eggs and butter).
  • The cupcakes will rise better.
  • Cupcakes end up with a better texture since ingredients incorporated nicely.

Close up photo of a single cupcake that has been bitten into.

How to Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature Quickly

Some professional bakers may not like these tips but they’ve worked just fine for me so far.

  • To bring eggs to room temperature in a bowl rest in warm water for 5 minutes.
  • Soften butter in 3 second intervals in the microwave rotating to next side between intervals until just soft (not melty at all).
  • Heat milk in the microwave to room temp. Buttermilk can also be gently heated in the microwave just to 70 degrees, or rest the measuring cup it’s in in a bowl of warm water.

How to Store Cupcakes

  • Cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for 3 days.
  • To extend shelf life they can be kept in the fridge for 6 days.
  • Store cupcakes in a well sealed airtight container.

Can I Freeze Cupcakes?

  • Yes homemade cupcakes can be frozen.
  • I recommend freezing without the frosting then adding the frosting after thawing so it’s nice and fluffy.

Helpful Tips for the Best Cupcakes

  • Use a kitchen scale if you have one to measure ingredients for the most accuracy (I like this one here).
  • For best results use room temperature ingredients.
  • If cake flour is very clumpy sift before using. Same with the powdered sugar.
  • Be careful not to over-mix the batter or cupcakes may end up dense and possibly even be chewy.

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Photo of three vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.
5 from 5 votes

Vanilla Cupcakes

Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes! These are light and fluffy, soft and tender, deliciously sweet and brimming with vanilla flavor.
Servings: 12
Prep30 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Cool1 hour
Ready in: 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup standard size muffin pan with paper liners, set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer) cream together sugar and butter on low speed until combined then increase to high speed and whip until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape down bowl.
  • Add 1 egg and mix until blended, then mix in second egg and vanilla. Scrape down bowl.
  • Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Add milk and mix just until combined. Add another 1/3 flour mixture, mix. Add buttermilk, mix. Finish by mixing in last 1/3 of the flour mixture.
  • Remove bowl from stand mixer and scrape bowl and gently fold mixture to ensure ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  • Divide batter among prepared muffin cups filling each about 2/3 full.
  • Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 17 to 22 minutes.
  • Let cool in pan for just a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.*
  • For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer (or using a hand mixer and a mixing bowl) cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1/4 cup salted butter until pale and fluffy.
  • Add powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract and whip until very pale and fluffy (its fluffiness should start to remind you of whipped cream). Frost over cooled cupcakes.

Notes

  • *For best results use a kitchen scale to measure out ingredients for most accuracy and consistent results. I like this one here.
  • **I like to cool on wire rack about 30 minutes then transfer to an airtight container to finish cooling so they don't dry.
  • I used Ateco 827 tip to frost those pictured here. If you want a lot of frosting like what is pictured use 1.5 times the recipe (if you have a super sweet tooth).
Nutrition Facts
Vanilla Cupcakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 389 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 86mg29%
Sodium 99mg4%
Potassium 106mg3%
Carbohydrates 47g16%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 35g39%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 684IU14%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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30 Comments

  • Cheryl Newton

    Please tell me you frosted dozens of cupcakes in order to get the picture-perfect ones pictured! Also, I want to bite the frosting right off. Mmmmm. Frosting. (Say that in Homer Simpson’s voice.) Thanks for such a delicious recipe. And vanilla — yay! Because even though I love chocolate candy, I’m not much of a fan of chocolate cake.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Thanks for the kindness! Frosting is easy to do once you get the hang of it :). I hope you get a chance to try these soon Cheryl!

  • Shari Kelley

    Congratulations on 10 years! That is an amazing accomplishment. Your blog is the first one I go to find a recipe. I trust your recipes because every one I’ve tried has amazing flavor and turns out great! I look forward to each new one you post. Thank you for all of your recipes, and I wish you 10 more years of continued success!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Hi Shari – Thanks so much for your kindness and supporting my blog! I love that you have been enjoying and trust my recipes!

  • Frances Shifman

    Cupcakes are perfect! Your frosting recipe doesn’t include vanilla or the amount to be used. Can you help me out on this?

  • Jennifer

    My daughter introduced me to your sight! We love all of your recipes! I think your vegetable soup and chicken noodle soup recipes healed my brother from Covid! Seriously!! Healthy, comforting and delicious!! Also my son absolutely loves the easy Pasta salad! And my mother-in-law raved about the lemon bars!! Thank you for sharing!! How about a hard bound cook book??😊👏🏼

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m thrilled you and your family been enjoying my recipes Jennifer! I appreciate your comment! Hopefully in the near future I have a cookbook to share! :)

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Cake flour is a very finely ground, low protein flower. It’s available in bleached and unbleached variety though I do recommend bleached. You can find it at many grocery stores in the US or online but if you’re outside of the US you can try the cake flour substitute as noted.

  • Sheri

    Hi Jaclyn! Congratulations! Wow, 10 years. I first came across your blog when I was looking for a buttercream frosting for my son’s birthday cake when he was about 3-4 years old. That was a great recipe, and I’ve been following your blog ever since then. He’s 11 now, so I’ve been a fan for a while. Thanks for all your great recipes. I love to check in on your blog to see what you’re cooking and I’ve tried quite a few. Best wishes for the next 10 years!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Sheri thanks so much for following my blog for all of these years! Thanks for the thanks and well wishes!