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Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

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A classic, bakery-style vanilla cupcake with a tender, moist crumb and a rich, velvety vanilla bean buttercream frosting.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup softened
  • Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
  • Large Eggs: 2 room temperature
  • Vanilla Bean Paste: 2 teaspoons
  • All-Purpose Flour: 1.5 cups
  • Baking Powder: 1.5 teaspoons
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Whole Milk: 1/2 cup
  • Unsalted Butter (Frosting): 1 cup softened
  • Powdered Sugar (Frosting): 3 cups sifted
  • Heavy Cream (Frosting): 2 tablespoons
  • Vanilla Extract (Frosting): 1 teaspoon
  • Rainbow Sprinkles: 2 tablespoons

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Cream softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla bean paste.
  4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk.
  6. Fill liners two-thirds full and bake for 18 to 22 minutes.
  7. Cool cupcakes completely on a wire rack.
  8. Beat frosting ingredients together until stiff and smooth, then pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
  9. Decorate with rainbow sprinkles.

Notes

  • Note: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, emulsified batter.
  • Vanilla bean paste gives the best flavor and visual ‘specks,’ but extract can be used in a pinch.
  • Do not frost the cupcakes until they are completely cold to prevent the butter from melting.