Description
These bakery-style cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and perfect for any celebration. Featuring a classic vanilla flavor with a rich, creamy buttercream frosting, they offer a delightful homemade treat that rivals your favorite bakery. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create delicious cupcakes that are moist, tender, and beautifully frosted.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to ensure easy removal and even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined, ensuring an even rise and flavor distribution.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition for a smooth, homogenous batter. Then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the whole milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overworked batter, which can make cupcakes tough.
- Fill cupcake liners: Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising without spilling over.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool cupcakes: Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool completely in the pan before frosting, preventing the frosting from melting.
- Make the frosting: Beat the softened butter in a mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and heavy cream or milk. Beat the frosting until it becomes light and fluffy.
- Frost cupcakes: Once cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe or spread the buttercream frosting evenly on top, creating a beautiful and delicious finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding lemon zest or almond extract to the batter or frosting.
- You can experiment with flavored frostings like chocolate or strawberry for variety.
- These cupcakes freeze well unfrosted; simply thaw and frost before serving.
- Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
