Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

If happiness had a flavor, it would be vanilla. These cupcakes are light, fluffy, and sweet enough to fix any mood, yes, even Monday mornings. They’re the kind of treat that disappears faster than you can say “I’ll just have one.”

Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a bake sale, or just because your oven looks lonely, this recipe keeps things simple. No fancy chef skills required, just a love for cupcakes and maybe a good playlist while you bake.

Quick Recipe Infos:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes

Nutrition Information (per cupcake)

• Calories: 270
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 3g
• Sugar: 25g

What You’ll Need

Kitchen Tools

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Muffin pan
• Cupcake liners
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk

For the frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Vanilla Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in the vanilla.
5. Add half the dry mixture, then half the milk. Repeat until smooth.
6. Pour the batter evenly into the liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool the cupcakes on a wire rack before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth and spreadable.
10. Frost your cupcakes generously. Taste one immediately. Quality control, of course.

Final Note

These vanilla cupcakes are proof that simple can still be spectacular. The soft crumb, buttery flavor, and creamy frosting make them a crowd favorite. Bake them once, and you’ll find yourself inventing excuses to make them again, like “it’s Tuesday” or “the dog looked hungry.”

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Vanilla Cupcakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

These vanilla cupcakes are pure dessert bliss—soft, airy, and irresistibly moist. Each bite sinks into a buttery crumb topped with smooth, creamy vanilla frosting that melts on your tongue. Sweet, light, and dangerously tempting, they’re the kind of cupcakes you can’t stop thinking about.

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Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup whole milk

For the frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
   
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
   
3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
   
4. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
   
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until smooth.
   
6. Fill liners two-thirds full and bake 18–20 minutes.
   
7. Cool completely before frosting.
   
8. For frosting, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth and spread over cupcakes.
   

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 270Total Fat: 12gCarbohydrates: 36gSugar: 25gProtein: 3g