This classic vanilla cupcake recipe is one that everyone should have in your recipe box. This bakery style vanilla cupcake is the perfectly moist, fluffy homemade vanilla cupcake recipe that is perfect for all of your vanilla cupcakes. This moist vanilla cupcake recipe pairs perfectly with just about every flavor frosting you could imagine!
Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
There is just something so classic about a vanilla cupcake. It is so versatile that you can mix so many different fillings and toppings to change the taste. This has been my go to classic vanilla cupcake recipe for years and I am excited to be sharing it with you! It took a long time for me to create the perfect vanilla cupcake recipe and once I did I was dancing around the house with excitement.
It is important that you have the perfect mild vanilla cupcake flavor when you are making vanilla cupcakes. The proper vanilla cupcake recipe is important because it pairs well with lots of different flavors. However if you don’t have that great vanilla cupcake recipe it will ruin all of your hard work on any other items you made to put on them like the frosting and toppings.
Vanilla cupcakes have a more of a mild flavor unlike chocolate cupcakes, it pairs well with lots of different flavors. Yet if you don’t have that great vanilla cupcake recipe it can ruin all of your hard work on any other items you made to put on them. Make sure you also check out our strawberry cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes that are also amazing!
The classic cake that I learned when I was in school is not what most Americans grew up eating. Many people have gotten used to a box cake mix that has a very moist texture. The problem with this is the cake is very soft. I want to make cupcakes that still have the great chiffon cake texture but the moisture similar to what most Americans were eating. I feel this recipe really combines the best of both cakes and you will want to continue to use this recipe for all your future cupcakes.
Tips for Baking Cupcakes
Follow the recipe. Each cupcake recipe is different. It is important to follow the recipe as directed. all of our cupcake recipes have been tested multiple times to make sure they are perfect.
Bring ingredients to room temperature. Cupcakes will bake best when the ingredients are brought to room temperature before mixing the cupcake batter.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely. Before frosting the cupcakes let them cool completely. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.
Do not over mix. Over mixing the batter will lead to having tough and flat cupcakes. When making cupcakes you have to be careful that you don’t over mix the batter when you are folding in the flour mixture. If you over-mix your angel food cake batter your cupcakes will turn out flat. You want to mix everything just until mixed, over mixing will cause you to have rough and tough cupcakes. We all know that the best cupcake are light and fluffy.
Fill the cupcake liners appropriately. You do not want to over fill the cupcake liners. Follow the directions for the specific cupcake recipe, if the recipe doesn’t tell you how full stick to the 2/3 full rule. Which is roughly 3 tablespoons of cupcake batter per cupcake liner.
Use the best kitchen tool for filling liners. If you are working with a thick cupcake batter then you want to use a spoon or a cookie scoop to fill the cupcake liners. If it is a thin cupcake batter then use a bowl with a spout or a glass measuring cup to pour in the batter.
Use quality cupcake liners. While you might not think it matters a cupcake liner but having a quality cupcake liner will make it so your cupcakes don’t stick to the wrapper and peel off nicely so you can see the perfect cupcake in it.
Bake one tray at a time. Using the center of the oven rack and bake one tray of cupcakes at a time. This will give you the best cupcake results.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.
How to tell when cupcakes are done baking
I like to use the toothpick test when I am making cupcakes with the kids because it is easier for them to see and learn. But if you have been making cupcakes for a while you may not want to use that method.
If you are wanting an even easier method, the cupcake bounce done method as we call it is even easier. Pull the tray of cupcakes out from the oven and lightly press on a cupcake in the middle of the baking pan. If if bounces right back and no finger print is left behind then your cupcakes are done. If there is a finger print you need to bake them for a few more minutes.
How to Store Cupcakes
It is best to store cupcakes in an airtight container on the counter. Cupcakes are best to be enjoyed with in 48 hours of making them. They won’t be bad to eat after 40 hours but they will start to dry out and not be as fresh.
After frosting cupcakes you are ok to store them on the counter for a day or 2 but after that they should be stored in the fridge.
If you are storing them unfrosted you can store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If you are storing them with frosting on top I suggest using a cupcake storage container.
How to Freeze Homemade Cupcakes
You will want to freeze them without any frosting on them. Wrap them individually with plastic wrap and freeze on a baking sheet. Then once they are solid store in a zip close freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months when frozen.
To thaw, simply remove them from the freezer and defrost. Then frost as normal.
How to Decorate Cupcakes
If you have always wanted to make an icing swirl so you have pretty cupcakes, check out this step by step guide on how to make an icing swirl. It really changes the look of your cupcakes!
If you are using different flavored frostings and want them both on top of your cupcake swirled together, check out how to swirl two icing flavors. If you want to layer your frosting flavors, check out the layered frosting swirl!
Looking for frosting recipes? Check these out!
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Lemon Buttercream Frosting
- vanilla buttercream
- marshmallow buttercream
- Caramel Buttercream
- Mint Buttercream
- Chocolate Raspberry buttercream
- Peanut butter buttercream
- Raspberry buttercream frosting
- Whipped frosting
Vanilla Cupcake Supplies
Vanilla Cupcake Recipe Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 1/4 cups cake flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line your cupcake pans with your choose of cupcake wrappers.
Place your self-rising flour, cake flour, and sugar in the bowl of your mixer. Mix them together for a minute or two until they are well combined.
Cut your butter into tablespoon pieces. Slowly add your butter into the flour mixture one piece at a time continue mixing until you have reached the texture of sand.
Pour half of your milk into the flour mixture and mix just until the milk is incorporated. Use your rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of your bowl. Add your remaining milk and the vanilla to your batter and mix until combined.
Slowly add in one egg at a time to the cake batter, making sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next egg.
Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake pan, filling them 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 10 minutes then rotate the cake pans so the pan that was on the top rack is now on the bottom and the pan that was on the bottom is now on the top rack. Continue to bake for another 10-13 minute until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cupcake.
Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack until they have reached room temperature.
Love cupcakes? Check these cupcake recipes out!
- Candy Corn Cupcakes
- S’mores cupcakes
- Angel Food Cupcakes
- Salted Caramel Cupcakes
- Andes Mint Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 1/4 cups cake flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line your cupcake pans with your choose of cupcake wrappers.
- Place your self-rising flour, cake flour, and sugar in the bowl of your mixer. Mix them together for a minute or two until they are well combined.
- Cut your butter into tablespoon pieces. Slowly add your butter into the flour mixture one piece at a time continue mixing until you have reached the texture of sand.
- Pour half of your milk into the flour mixture and mix just until the milk is incorporated. Use your rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of your bowl. Add your remaining milk and the vanilla to your batter and mix until combined.
- Slowly add in one egg at a time to the cake batter, making sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next egg.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared cupcake pan, filling them 3/4 of the way full.
- Bake for 10 minutes then rotate the cake pans so the pan that was on the top rack is now on the bottom and the pan that was on the bottom is now on the top rack. Continue to bake for another 10-13 minute until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cupcake.
- Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack until they have reached room temperature.
Nutrition
9 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving
caitlyn says
can this be used as a cake recipe as well?
Stephanie says
yes, you may.
Jennie says
What kind of frosting recipe should I use for bakery-style cupcakes?
Stephanie says
You have tons of options just search buttercream in the search bar on our site for buttercream. http://www.midgetmomma.com/?s=buttercream
Jess U says
I have a cupcake pan that holds 24 cupcakes. Do I need to do anything special like rotate the pan after 10 minutes or just let the cupcakes bake the total amount of time allotted?
Stephanie says
If your oven doesn’t cook evenly I would recommend rotating your pans halfway.