Even Simpler, More Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcake recipe from scratch! Super easy recipe made in just one bowl, with an incredibly moist texture and rich vanilla flavor.
*This vanilla cupcake recipe originally published on May 1, 2014. I thought it was about time it was updated. So, I’ve added a few answers to some frequently asked questions. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy these vanilla cupcakes as much as my family and I do!*
This post has been a long time coming.
My Simply Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes recipe has been one of the most popular (and commented upon!) posts on Baking a Moment since it was published back in July. But there were a few issues, and a lot of questions I wish I had addressed within the post.
And I just keep getting pickier and pickier. After a while, it started to bug me that the batter was a bit drippy. I’m a tough one to please! And for me to want to keep making a recipe, over and over, it has to meet all of the following prerequisites:
- The taste has to be amazing.
- The texture has to be spot on (for a cupcake, this means moist and tender, but sturdy enough to stand up to lots of yummy frosting).
- It has to be relatively easy to make.
- The process of making it should result in as little mess as is humanly possible.
This new and improved vanilla cupcake recipe hits on all cylinders.
WHAT MAKES THIS VANILLA CUPCAKE RECIPE SPECIAL?
The flavor is bangin’, rich and buttery with a big hit of aromatic vanilla.
It bakes up moist and soft, with a fine crumb and a slightly domed top.
The method for making the batter is simple as can be, and because it utilizes the reverse creaming method (more on that here), you’re looking at a one-bowl wonder. One that will not leave messy drips all over your counter and cupcake pan 😉
This newer vanilla cupcake recipe is based upon the last one, with a little tweak here, a little tweak there.
The key difference between this one and the last is the addition of sour cream. The final result won’t taste sour, but the acid in the yogurt reacts with the baking soda to help the cupcakes puff up and hold a nice dome.
And it makes the batter so nice and thick, with an airy texture almost like whipped cream.
HOW TO MAKE THIS VANILLA CUPCAKE RECIPE
Start by combining all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together just until combined.
I like to use cake flour, because it’s got less gluten than all purpose flour, and so it results in a lighter, more tender cake. You can read more about that here: Why Use Cake Flour.
You can find it at the regular supermarket, on the same shelf with all the other flours, or you can just order it online: Cake Flour.
Add the soft butter, and mix until it resembles damp sand. This should only take about a minute or so.
After the butter has been worked in, you can add the eggs. One at a time, and make sure each one is completely incorporated before adding the next.
I love this kind of paddle attachment– it has a silicone edge that reaches all the way to the bottom of the bowl, so you know all the ingredients are well incorporated. And you don’t have to keep stopping the mixer to scrape the bowl.
Finally, add the sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
When it comes to ingredients that add flavor, I recommend using the highest quality. I often cut costs with generic sugar and baking soda, but when it comes to butter and vanilla, invest and indulge! It makes such a difference!
You’ll see the leavening start to activate right away! The batter is really thick and almost airy. I love it!
Please, please, please, do not overfill your cupcake papers. This vanilla cupcake recipe puffs up in the oven, a lot, and you don’t want mushroom tops. Maybe that’s ok for a muffin, but not a cupcake!
No more than half full. I’ve made and remade this recipe, and if you fill 24 cups equally, you should be good. I use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, a little less than 2 scoops per cupcake. So that’s about 3 tablespoons of batter to a cupcake.
HOW TO BAKE VANILLA CUPCAKES
Now for a few words about baking. I cannot stress enough that you must check your cupcakes. Set the timer for a minute less that the recipe states (to avoid overbaking).
This is across the board, not just with this recipe, but with ALL recipes.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or bamboo skewer into the thickest part of your cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, you are good to go. If it’s gooey or there are lots of sticky crumbs clinging to it, add a minute to the timer and then check ’em again.
Ovens are tricky. No two are exactly the same. Some run hot, some cold. Some are hot in one area and cold in another. (Try to position the rack in the middle of your oven, so the heat can circulate evenly, all around.) I keep a little oven thermometer in mine so I can be sure it’s calibrated correctly, or if not, I can adjust accordingly.
WHAT KIND OF FROSTING TO USE ON VANILLA CUPCAKES
These cupcakes taste wonderful with all sorts of frostings! I personally love them with Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream, but they are also just heavenly with Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream. Or Strawberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
Can you tell I like Swiss meringue buttercream?
But for today’s post I wanted to keep it on the simpler side, so I’ve used this Whipped Cream Frosting, which contains a little bit of cream cheese to keep it stable.
It’s really fluffy and light, and has just a hint of sweetness to it.
I use this kind of pastry bag for piping, and this kind of tip.
Check out the video on my Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes post, to learn how to pipe a tall swirl like what you in these pics.
CAN THIS VANILLA CUPCAKE RECIPE BE MADE AHEAD?
If you want to make these cupcakes ahead, you totally can! Just keep them unfrosted. They’ll keep well in an airtight container, for up to 3 days at room temperature, in the fridge for a week and a half or so, and for months in the freezer!
Thaw at room temperature and then frost and decorate however you like!
Hopefully I didn’t leave anything out, but if you have a question I didn’t answer, please feel free to leave me a comment below.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, and have lots of success with it! There’s just nothing better than a homemade cupcake, from scratch, especially if it’s this easy to make!
As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Even Simpler, More Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (187.5 g) cake flour*
- 3/4 cup (93.75 g) all purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, (scant)
- 3/4 cup (170.25 g) unsalted butter, (1 1/2 sticks), softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2/3 cup (153.33 g) sour cream, (Greek yogurt or buttermilk** can be substituted)
- 1/2 cup (122 g) milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake pan with papers.
- Place the cake flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer, and stir on low speed to combine.
- Add the butter, mixing on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles damp sand (about a minute).
- Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to be sure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add the sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste. Stir until fully combined.
- Fill the papers half full and bake for 16 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Notes
** If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute by stirring 2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice into 2/3 cup of regular milk. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes, or until thickened and slightly curdled.
*** This cupcake recipe can also be baked in three 6-inch diameter, two 8-inch or 9-inch diameter cake pans, or in a 9x13-inch pan. Bake times may need to be extended. You'll know your cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the thickest part comes out clean. Click here for the layer cake version of this recipe: Perfect Vanilla Cake Recipe. Some other cupcake recipes you might enjoy:
First time I made these, first time I made a moist tender cake, they are quite yummy! made with cream cheese frosting, thank you!
I Love your receipes
I just baked these this morning for my son’s 2nd birthday. They are amazing. The best vanilla cupcake recipe I’ve tried and I’ve used many. Thank you so much for such a deliciously, wonderful recipe!
I’m a baker and a foodie and therefor I don’t impress easily when it comes to baked good or food…. I’m impressed. You have an amazing product here. The moment I saw the batter I knew it would be perfect. Job well done. And I think it’s wonderful that you share this with everyone.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
These look amazing. You have given every possible detail including the nutritional info. Thank you for including the metric version of the recipe as well!!
My pleasure Fino! I’m so happy you like it. Hope you get a chance to try!
Hi, how many cupcakes does it yield?
That info can be found just above the list of ingredients. The answer is 24. Good luck!
I’ve been looking for a good vanilla cake recipe *forever* and I’ve tried some that are super fussy and the cake is too dry. Anyway, THIS RECIPE is THE ONE. It’s amazing, perfect — fluffy, delicious cake. This one is a keeper. Thank you!
I’m so happy you like it Michelle! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback!
Hi
Love all your recipes. Will try the vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. My question is how long or if you can to put them in the frigde. Iced or nor. Do they get a bit damp on top when not iced.
Thanks
Hey Sandra! So happy you want to make this recipe. I’ve actually already addressed your question in the post- check under the heading “Can this Vanilla Cupcake Recipe Be Made Ahead.” I have not noticed any dampness. Hope this is helpful!
I found this recipe yesterday and knew I had to make them for my staff morning tea for tomorrow.
They are just delicious!!! I am from Australia and we don’t have cake flour here, so I used your recommendation with adding corn flour to the all purpose flour (I actually used bread flour if we’re getting technical).
I also did 12 regular size, and 24 mini. What a great quantity from one batch.
This will definitely be my new go to cupcake recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it Alice! Thank you so much for the 5-star rating!
I tried for the first time today and made yellow cake with the reverse creaming method. I was very happy with the results. I used all purpose flour and no problem at all. I was very leery of this method. I am very pleased with it. I did use my mothers recipe from many years of baking it the regular creaming way.
Just wondered if a pound cake could be made with the reverse creaming method.?
So happy you had success with the reverse creaming method. I love it too. I have never tried this method for pound cake, only because the creaming step is so important for a cake that doesn’t contain any chemical leavening. Pound cakes generally get all their “lift” from that first critical step of whipping air into the butter. Because of that, I’ve never wanted to take a chance. But if you feel like experimenting, by all means give it a shot! I’d love to hear how it works out for you.
Very good Recipe, Simple and easiest way, thanks for sharing
My pleasure; thank you for the positive feedback!
These cupcakes look so perfect. thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
My pleasure; I’m so glad you like them.
So light fluffy and perfect!
These are so light, fluffy and perfect!
Hi,
I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong but I just can’t seem to get these to not shrink after baking. When baking at the temperature specified after 16 mins they were quite dark and sunk, so I lowered the temperature and baked for longer, paler but still sunk. My tooth picks are coming out clean, can they still be underbaked? Also do you do 350f in a fanforced oven? Sorry for all the questions, any advice is greatly appreciated!
Hey Jasmine- so sorry you’re having trouble. It does sound like they could really use another minute or two in the oven. No fan necessary. Hope this is somewhat helpful!
My fav cupcakes!
I love these! Simple recipes are the best!
Is this the updated recipe you spoke about Live today?
Yes! You found it Sharon! Thanks so much for watching!