These are the best classic vanilla cupcakes. They are super moist, fluffy and flavorful with 3 different frostings to choose from. Pick your favorite and enjoy!
According to Wikipedia, a cupcake is “a cake designed to serve one person”. That’s my kind of cake! Topped with silky smooth buttercream, these individual cakes have become the star of any event, and for good reason. Although I’ve tried dozens of dry, heavy, too-sweet cupcakes before, I can assure you that not only are these pretty, but they’re also delicious. With just a few recipes of this popular dessert on my blog so far, and after tasting some of the delicious cupcakes at the famous Hummingbird Bakery in the UK, I decided it’s time to add some more. Speaking of the UK..
I’ve just returned from a magical weekend in London, and I haven’t quite calmed down from my excitement yet. I had the most amazing time ever! I know, I know – I say that about almost every place I travel to, but I truly do mean it every time. Whenever I’m in a new place, I just want to stay there for good. I love exploring, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures. What I liked best about London was that it immediately felt like home. Although there are billions of people walking the streets, nothing felt estranged, but rather thrilling and exciting.
I had so much fun that I was really close to extending my trip, if only I had one friend willing to stay there with me. None of them were, though, claiming that they had to go back to work. I guess that makes sense.
If you’re planning a trip to London soon, then here are a few highlights from my trip you might want to look into: Portobello Market in Notting Hill, traditional afternoon tea (I tried the one in Langham hotel – worth every penny), food markets on weekends, The Book of Mormon show, unique cocktail bars and traditional pubs (usually serve really good food, too), and a romantic night walk on one of the bridges with a view of the Big Ben. Honestly, my best advice for you would be to lose yourself on the streets – this will give you the best insight of London’s hidden gems.
Does it look like my trips usually revolve around food? Because they do. Also, since we’re talking cupcakes today, I have to mention Peggy Porchsen, where you’ll find the most elegant and scrumptious cupcakes ever. The storefront is stunning, it’s practically straight out of a movie. It’s also incredibly pink, which is just the way I like it.
Best Vanilla Cupcake Recipe
Although it’s hard, let’s put London aside and concentrate on our treats. These homemade cupcakes are pure classic. They’re easy to make, and made from scratch. They’re delicate, but stable enough to hold the frosting. Flavorful, but subtle. Fluffy and moist, but not too crumbly. Sweet, but not heavy. I could go on and on… but just try them for yourself to understand how good they really are.
How to Make Buttercream Frosting
Since everyone has their own idea of how buttercream should taste, I’ve included recipes for the 3 most popular types (plus, I just couldn’t help myself): basic, cream cheese, and meringue.
If you’re not sure which one you like best, you can either be crazy like me and try all 3 at once, or read more about each of them here, here, and here. Even if you’re not a cupcake fan (which is impossible, right?), I’m sure you’ll love at least one of these frostings.
How to Store Frosted Cupcakes?
Cupcakes are best the same day they’re made, but can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Unfrosted cupcakes can be kept tightly covered at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw, still covered, on the counter or overnight in the fridge. Frosting can be kept in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and whisk until smooth.
If you want to prepare the cupcakes ahead of time, it’s best if you make the cupcakes and frosting and store them separately, then frost the cupcakes with frosting the same day or the day before you serve them. I had good results with storing them overnight in the fridge when I had to make them a day ahead. Always serve them at room temperature.
More Delicious Cupcakes:
- Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Tiramisu Cupcakes
- Apple Toffee Cupcakes
- Coconut Cupcakes
- Banoffee Cupcakes
- 1 1/3 cups (185 grams/6.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick/115 grams) butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams/7 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs , room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk
- Buttercream frosting , cream cheese frosting, or Swiss meringue buttercream*
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. On medium speed, beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add half of the dry ingredients and beat just until combined. Add milk and beat until combined. Add the other half of the dry ingredients and beat slowly or fold by hand only until combined. Do not over mix – the less you mix, the lighter the cake will be.
- Divide batter evenly between the cups, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes (or 8-10 minutes if making mini cupcakes) until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Allow cupcakes to sit for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Unfrosted cupcakes can be kept tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw, still covered, on the counter or overnight in the fridge.
* Pay attention to the quantities each frosting yields and adjust the recipe according to your number of cupcakes.
230 Comments
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe
October 9, 2014 at 6:21 amClassic and simple recipes like this are always my favorite ones! Vanilla cupcakes with a simple, classic buttercream will always be my number one choice. I’d love to visit London, it’s always been a dream of mine, and I’m planning a trip for next summer. Can’t wait to go there and experience everything you mentioned!
xo, Elisa
Shiran
October 9, 2014 at 3:28 pmYou should go Elisa! It’s such a fun city. When you visit there, just let me know, I’ll be more than happy to help 🙂 xx
Hadley
December 28, 2018 at 7:29 pmI love your recipe !!
Danielle
December 23, 2020 at 11:56 amI was worried because the batter was so thick but came out incredible love it !
Temitomi Matiluko
January 23, 2021 at 7:30 pmSame here. Hubby kept asking if it wasn’t too thick but it turned our great. Thanks
Hadley
December 28, 2018 at 7:30 pmthis is the best recipe !!
Aovella
September 8, 2019 at 1:34 pmI would just like to know if I could use almond milk instead of regular milk
Shiran
September 18, 2019 at 7:56 amYes you can, but the flavor and texture will be different.
georgie
August 29, 2020 at 9:20 pmi love this resipe im 11 and i love baking i made these cupcakes for my mums birthday and she loved them thank you
Pamela Halpert
October 12, 2020 at 10:43 amTried out this recipe. It’s super easy, barely takes any time to make, and tastes wonderful 💯 really soft texture
ching
May 26, 2020 at 10:09 amTried this recipe and it’s oh so good!!! My family loved it.
koko
August 28, 2020 at 10:15 am🙂
Hadley
December 28, 2018 at 7:31 pmbest recipe EVER !!
Haley
June 19, 2019 at 4:40 pmI liked your recipe, but I added a bit of lemon curd to it ! It was pretty good but over all your recipe was great. I am a young baker and have been finding different recipes to make my own so thx.
Ryan
July 4, 2020 at 6:46 amAmazing recipe. My wife loved the cup cakes. Turned out perfect and moist. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
ruiti he
September 7, 2019 at 3:57 pmI have never made a perfect cupcake until I found this recipe
Abigail
March 4, 2020 at 11:42 amHello I did not try your recipe yet but sounds pretty good! I recently made boxed muffins and me and my dad ate all of it and didn’t leave the rest of my family any, so I hope your recipe will leave them shocked! (I plan to also find homemade butter cream)
Shammi
April 13, 2020 at 7:26 amI see you haven’t added baking/bicarbonate of soda. Will the cakes still rise well?
Abby
May 6, 2020 at 5:56 pmThe baking powder will make them rise
Raina
October 22, 2019 at 1:37 amThese cupcakes are delicious. I added a rum caramel syrup and it made a wonderful birthday gift.
Karen
November 14, 2019 at 8:43 amThanks a lot for the Awesome recipe……super moist cupcake…… everyone loved it…
Ava
May 14, 2020 at 11:24 pmThese are soooooooooooooooooooo wonderful!! This is the best white cake recipe EVER. I failed the first attempt and made cake pops out of it and OMG it was ammmmmmmazzziiinnggg. Its so light and fluffy and so good as a cake pop because its not super sweet but just PERFECT. I will never use another cupcake recipe again.
koko
August 28, 2020 at 10:16 amcool
וויני
October 9, 2014 at 5:25 pmוואווווו כמה שהם יפים
ניראים אפילו רומנטיים בגלל הצבעים, ואני אוהבת את זה!
Shiran
October 10, 2014 at 6:07 pmThank you Winnie! 🙂
Jess
November 24, 2019 at 5:41 amOk I love this recipe, BUT I always have issues with my cupcakes baking? So.. some cupcakes turn out just fine in the oven, but some have some crunchy parts around the rim on the cupcake, or an air bubble creates and then deflates and that part of the cupcake doesn’t bake properly.. is there something I’m doing wrong? Is it my oven? It makes me so confused because some cupcakes turn out just fine! Help please!
Oana
October 10, 2014 at 2:55 pmThat’s my kind of cake as well! Loaded with vanilla and so delicate! Love these cupcakes, they look perfect. The frosting looks heavenly with those tiny vanilla seeds and the piping is amazing! Good job!
Shiran
October 10, 2014 at 6:04 pmThank you so much Oana! That’s so sweet of you 🙂 I’m glad you like it!
Flora Kafunda
August 30, 2019 at 9:46 pmI LOVED THESE CUPCACES. SO SOFT AND MOST. I’LL PROBABLY MAKE THEM AGAIN
Mary
March 15, 2020 at 5:22 pmTried your recipe for my friend’s guests and they were impressed !
Stephanie Shaps
September 15, 2019 at 12:37 pmThis is an amazing recipe!! Great flavor and so delicate!! Thank you!!
Netty
October 12, 2014 at 1:08 amTried your recipe last night. Simple, yummy, moist and just perfect!
Shiran
October 12, 2014 at 1:00 pmI’m so glad to hear that Netty! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me! 🙂
Tash
October 16, 2014 at 4:38 amHehe the best trips always revolve around food! I can’t believe you were in London! It sounds like you had a magical time. I wonder if we crossed each other in the street?!
I don’t think I have ever seen more perfect cupcakes. Period. PINNED. x
Shiran
October 17, 2014 at 6:48 amTash!!! I can’t believe you live in London!! How did I miss that?! If I had remembered it, I would have totally meet you there! You are so lucky it’s your home, it’s indeed magical and I loved every single part of it. I loved it so much that I would probably be back soon 🙂 Then I’ll let you know!
Maggie
October 24, 2014 at 1:35 amThose cupcakes look perfect and I cannot wait to try them! I’d like to make the basic buttercream frosting. Classic and delicious!
I went to London this July and spent the most amazing 10 days in my life! I cannot be more agree with you that London is such an amazing city. Looks like I missed a lot of the nice places, oops! Thanks for giving me a perfect excuse to go back to visit again 😉
Shiran
October 25, 2014 at 6:48 amIf I start talking about London, I won’t be able to stop! Like you said – such an amazing place. I’m glad I gave you an excuse to visit again 😉
I.B Alex
December 17, 2014 at 12:25 amHaving a holiday party at my high school tomorrow. Needed a good recipe. Glad I found this one. Thanks for sharing!
Shiran
December 17, 2014 at 3:40 amThank you! Enjoy the holiday party! 🙂
ishita kashyap
June 21, 2019 at 5:43 pmI don’t have a paddle attachment. Can I use regular mixed attachment?
koko
August 28, 2020 at 10:15 am🙂
Ashley
January 16, 2015 at 5:30 amIs there vanilla bean in the cupcakes or am I seeing spots?
Shiran
January 16, 2015 at 10:47 amHi Ashley! Yes, I use vanilla bean many times, and most of the time, you can use it interchangeably with vanilla extract. 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract will be the equivalent to one vanilla pod.
Elle
December 20, 2019 at 10:01 pmI’m making these/I’m using half and half instead of milk.
Mara
June 27, 2015 at 4:10 pmHi Shiran!!!
This recipe is absolutely DELICIOUS!!! Instead of cupcakes, I made a pound cake and it turned out divine!!! I added an extra 1/4 cup of sugar since I wasn’t going to be adding any icing on my cake! Gah, so good!!! Perfect texture, too!
I have a question – I would like to use this recipe to make a two-tiered birthday cake for my uncle. There will be approximately 40 guests, but I’d like to make it big enough to feed 50 in case anyone wants seconds! Could you please tell me how to adjust the recipe accordingly? I’ll be decorating the cake with fondant (I don’t know if that’s relevant).
Thank you so much!!!
Shiran
June 28, 2015 at 4:03 amHi Mara! I’m so glad to hear that, thank you 🙂 I’ve made this cake using 9-inch or 10-inch pans and I doubled the recipe for that (also double the recipe for the classic buttercream frosting if you use it). There’s no need to add more sugar, even without the frosting. I made a 3-layer 9-inch cake, baking each layer for about 25 minutes (start checking it after 20 minutes). I made 2 layers when I used the 10-inch pan, so that might be better for you. 40 guests is a lot though so it probably wouldn’t be enough. I usually just make standard-sized cakes, but I’m guessing you can easily find more information about it online. Hope this helps 🙂
Mara
July 24, 2015 at 4:02 pmThank you very much, Shiran! I’m going to try that this weekend! =)
Shiran
July 25, 2015 at 7:49 amGood luck! 🙂
Holly
February 18, 2019 at 9:01 amHi Shiran, I was hoping you could help me. I use this cupcake recipe all the time and love it! Do you know how I would modify it for a 3 layer 8 inch cake? I see you have doubled it for a 3 layer 9 inch.
Thanks!
Shiran
February 20, 2019 at 7:28 amThe easiest way would be to just double the recipe. Just make sure not to fill the pans more than 2/3 full with cake batter.
Lis
July 8, 2015 at 6:54 pmHi there,
Would you have any advice on how to ensure the cakes do not dry out if one needs to make a big batch? I find that mini cupcakes dry out super fast and get stale too 🙁 Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Shiran
July 11, 2015 at 6:25 pmSome cakes dry out faster than others, and unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about it. Cupcakes, without their frosting, or muffins, freeze well, so I usually just freeze mine, and top them with frosting at the same day that I need to serve them. You can prepare the frosting ahead of time as well, as it would keep for about 3 days in the fridge, then bring it to room temperature before using it.
PR
October 14, 2015 at 2:05 pmMy new go-to vanilla cupcake recipe. Easy and yummy! Finally found a basic vanilla recipe I’m satisfied with! thanks so much! <3
Shiran
October 15, 2015 at 10:01 amThank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Anna
November 17, 2015 at 10:20 amFinally a basic vanilla recipe that isn’t dry or flavorless…! Of course I couldn’t resist the temptation of adding some cinnamon and walnuts in the half of my mixture just to experiment a bit and the result is dreamy! Thank you for the always flawless recipes!!!
Shiran
November 18, 2015 at 7:15 amThank you so much, Anna! This would be a great versatile recipe for your experiments 🙂
Khadijah
December 28, 2015 at 12:11 pmLiterally perfection. This is the least fussy recipe I could find online yet the results exceeded my expectations. Thank you 🙂
Shiran
December 29, 2015 at 9:43 amThey’re so good, right?! Thank you for your comment and I’m glad you like them! 🙂
Marta
February 20, 2016 at 12:50 pmCan I use buttermilk instead of regular milk or will it change the taste?
Shiran
February 21, 2016 at 5:14 pmHi Marta, buttermilk would actually taste delicious, but in addition, you’ll need to substitute the baking powder in the recipe with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.
Theresa
April 10, 2018 at 11:20 amSo when using buttermilk, instead of a full tsp of baking powder, use only 1/4 tsp plus 1/4 tsp baking soda? A total of 1/2 tsp of ingredients instead of 1 tsp?
Shiran
April 11, 2018 at 7:05 amThat’s right!
Marta
February 21, 2016 at 5:54 pmThank you I am going to make it with the buttermilk and let you know how it taste
Heidi
July 2, 2016 at 10:57 amWe make your chocolate cupcakes and they are light and delicious!!! The vanilla ones seem more dense (still delicious) any thoughts on what we might be doing wrong??
Shiran
July 6, 2016 at 5:39 amThe texture of the vanilla cupcakes is a bit more dense (however not too dense) than the chocolate cupcakes because these are different recipes with different ingredients. Vanilla cupcakes are usually denser than vanilla cakes so they would hold their shape well. For moist cupcakes you can substitute the milk with buttermilk, and the baking powder with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.
Nancy
August 26, 2016 at 4:22 amHi Shiran,
I just tried these cuppies. was expecting especially after trying your chocolate cake (making it for my birthday in a weeks time ?) but I did 3/4 cup sugar so the sweetness is just right… am sure the kids will enjoy them any way
Hermione
October 8, 2016 at 6:02 pmGreat and easy! Kids enjoyed helping, and they were so yummy!
Darcy
January 19, 2017 at 5:28 pmI love this recipe! Do you think I could add a 1/2 cup of hot water to make them more moist like the chocolate cupcake recipe?
Shiran
January 22, 2017 at 6:02 amHi Darcy! Hot water is especially good in chocolate cakes. For moist cupcakes, you can try replacing some (or all) of the milk in the recipe with buttermilk/yogurt/sour cream, and see if you like the result.
Wen
May 31, 2018 at 3:05 pmHi Shiran! I’m interested in replacing some of the milk with sour cream (maybe 1/2 milk and 1/2 sour cream). So instead of all the milk it calls for recipe, just use 1/4 cup each of milk and sour cream? Thanks.
Shiran
June 2, 2018 at 11:59 amYes, you can use 1/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup sour cream.
Miri
January 27, 2018 at 9:03 pmI’ve baked these 3 times already! with the cream cheese frosting and they were so good!!
Merav
January 31, 2018 at 6:17 amI just made these with the vanilla buttercream frosting, and they were sooo good! Couldn’t stop eating the frosting!
Ishwerya
May 19, 2020 at 1:01 amThe best cupcake recipe! It was a hit for the first time itself. Everyone just loved it. Thank you!
Mara
February 1, 2018 at 9:28 amHi Shiran!
I’ve made this cake several times and every time, it’s turned out marvelous! I absolutely love this recipe! I wanted to try experimenting with sour cream as a substitute for milk, so I’m wondering what adjustments to this recipe you’d recommend I make if I use sour cream?
Thank you!
Shiran
February 13, 2018 at 7:26 amHi Mara! You can use sour cream instead of the milk without changing anything else in the recipe. I’ve tried it before and liked it.
Rene
February 14, 2018 at 1:13 amHi shiran
I made the vanilla cupcake yesterday for Valentine’s party and everyone talked about how delicious they were all through the party. Thank you!
Sunita
March 11, 2018 at 10:19 amhi, is it okay to take powdered sugar or fine sugar. Has granulated sugar will take long time to mix with butter. If yes then do we take same measurement.
Shiran
March 11, 2018 at 1:22 pmHi Sunita, don’t worry too much about it. You can mix the butter and sugar just until it’s creamy, for about 3 minutes. The sugar eventually melts in the oven.
Sunita
March 14, 2018 at 4:16 amHi, I am so happy, that my cupcakes were soft, delicious. My family loved it. It’s perfect. Thanks for the recipe. After baking and cooling I inserted mix berries compote and decorated with Swiss Meringue buttercream
Sunita
March 14, 2018 at 4:17 amHi, I am so happy, that my cupcakes were soft, delicious. My family loved it. It’s perfect. Thanks for the recipe. After baking and cooling I inserted mix berries compote and decorated with Swiss Meringue buttercream
Francesca
March 31, 2018 at 7:22 pmI came across your website and this recipe looking for a perfect vanilla cake recipe for Easter. I just made the cupcakes, and they are amazing! The texture is perfect, the cupcakes are moist but not too dense, and they taste like heaven. I added a splash of almond extract to the recipe and used buttermilk and 3 medium-smallish eggs. I topped them with french buttercream, to which I added a generous spoon of cream cheese at the very end, and two drops of red food coloring, so the frosting is rose petal pink 🙂 I will use this recipe for years to come, and will check out your other ones. Thank you so much!
Shiran
April 1, 2018 at 5:03 amThank you so much, Francesca 🙂 I hope you enjoy more of my recipes!
Shea
April 16, 2018 at 2:18 pmI mad the cupcakes and they good, but I was wondering should the batter be thick?
Shiran
April 17, 2018 at 7:46 amYes, the batter is a bit thick.
Payal Sharma
April 29, 2018 at 11:16 amHi Shiran,
I just made these cupcakes for my daughter’s 3rd birthday. The texture is amazing, very moist and delicate. But my batter was not thick at all, and the cake taste just a little on the eggy side. What am I doing wrong?
Shiran
April 30, 2018 at 3:55 amHi Payal, the batter isn’t very thick, so don’t worry about it. Make sure you use room temperature butter, and beat the butter and sugar for a few minutes until fluffy. Also, don’t overmix the batter, once you add the flour, mix as little as possible, just until everything is combined, but do make sure that the batter is fully combined. There aren’t a lot of eggs in the recipe, so it’s hard for me to tell what went wrong. Also, for the best flavor, use pure vanilla extract.
Jordan Delight Aston
May 7, 2018 at 10:46 amI tried out this recipe yesterday but added about an eighth of a teaspoon of almond extract, and a tablespoon of butted rum extract. So this it a nice subtle flavor of butter rum cupcakes, it puts a nice twist on the cupcake itself. Btw the cupcakes are light fluffy and not to sweet, I will be making these again
Banana
May 9, 2018 at 10:27 amHello! If I need to make 25-35 cupcakes, how should I double/triple/duplicate this recipe? Should I duplicate each individual ingredient? If so, how many times would I need to duplicate it to make about 30 or so cupcakes? Thanks!
Shiran
May 10, 2018 at 2:17 pmThis recipe yields about 12 cupcakes, so you can triple the recipe. You need to multiply the amount of ingredients by 3.
L
May 25, 2018 at 3:11 pmI want to make these for my son’s birthday, as several of his friends hate (?!?!) chocolate. Just realized I’m out of vanilla extract. Can I substitute vanilla bean paste? If so, in what quantity?
Thanks!
Shiran
May 25, 2018 at 3:45 pmYes, you can use the same amount, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste.
LP
May 29, 2018 at 3:02 pmWith crazy mash-ups and outrageous food combination desserts all the rage these days, it’s easy to forget simple classics like this. I made these cupcakes a few days ago, and had to give several away, just so I wouldn’t eat every last one! They were incredibly delicious! Perfect amount of sweetness and yummy vanilla flavor. I paired them with your basic buttercream – equally as divine. Thank you for sharing!
Leah
June 6, 2018 at 11:35 amJust made these and tripled the recipe. Made exactly 3 dozen. Used 2 tsp of vanilla and 1 tsp of almond. They taste great – just wish I filled them a little higher than 3/4, like pretty much to the top. They didn’t rise very much. Thanks for the recipe!
Jenna
June 7, 2018 at 5:14 pmHi! Is it possible to substitute almond milk instead of regular milk or will it too drastically affect the batter?
Shiran
June 10, 2018 at 8:28 amYou can use almond milk instead, but keep in mind that it will change the flavor.
Ranya
February 24, 2019 at 10:49 amIs there another non-dairy substitute that would work better?
Emma
July 4, 2019 at 10:09 amThere is a type of milk called Lactaid that has an enzyme added in to remove lactose, i am extremely sensative to lactose and this stuff tastes just like milk, except its just a little bit sweeter, it works really well in these cupcakes, I’ve done it many times. This is my go to recipe and the Lactaid adds a subtle sweetness to the batter.
Marcelle
June 22, 2018 at 8:57 amShiran,
My son loves this recipe and asked that I make it as an 8 inch layer cake. Any advice I’d adjustments I should make?
Thank you in advance!
Shiran
June 24, 2018 at 11:11 amHi Marcelle, I’ve used this recipe to make vanilla cakes before, it turns out great, but I don’t remember the exact quantities for a 8-inch layer cake. I think I doubled the recipe and baked it in 3 pans (not sure if it was 8-inch or 9-inch pans). Just make sure you don’t fill the pans with too much batter so it won’t overflow in the oven.
Lora
April 23, 2019 at 9:47 amI’ve made cupcakes with this recipe so many times and it is without doubt THE BEST recipe out there!
BUT… I’ve just come to make them again and realised I only have self raising flour in… will this still work and do I have to remove the baking powder etc?
Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe with us!
Vanessa
June 29, 2018 at 9:49 amThese came out so soft and delicious… thank you ?
Bella/Tere
July 6, 2018 at 9:46 pm7 Reasons why you should use this recipe
1.The instructions are simple and easy to follow
2.Level: beginners/2 out of 5
3.not too many ingredients
4.the texture of the cupcake is soft and fluffy
5.These are the most delicious and fluffy cupcakes I have ever made
6.The buttercream is easy to make yet very sweet
7.Its absolutely the best I’ve found on the internet1
Amman
July 15, 2018 at 4:27 amHi My name is Amman and I’m 10 yrs old and I have found a new love for baking and these cupcakes were my first to bake. They turned out delicious!! And I finally got the hang of piping buttercream!! I’m really happy because it was really easy to follow and i did it with barely any help! Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Shiran
July 16, 2018 at 1:04 pmThank you so much, Amman!
ALEena
July 27, 2018 at 12:58 pmHey there I really want to try this recipe but I don’t understand the conversion of flour which u stated ( 1⅓ cups is 6.5 ounce) whereas 1 cup of sugar is 7 ounces . Is 1/3 cup addition to a cup of flour .. it’s very confusing .
Shiran
July 30, 2018 at 9:44 amYou need to use 1 and 1/3 cups of flour. 1 cup of flour doesn’t weigh the same as 1 cup of sugar, that’s why they have different weights.
Andrew
July 27, 2018 at 2:43 pmGreat cake, a little on the sweet side for me. Would it be possible to cut some of the sugar out without changing the texture drastically?
I’m also a bit of a fanatic on getting light and fluffy cakes, so I separated the egg yolks and whites, added the yolks early on, and folded in whipped egg whites at the end. Turned out great, but still not the perfect lightness I wanted. Do you know how this recipe would react to cake flour? Or even half cake flour, half all-purpose flour?
Shiran
July 30, 2018 at 9:56 amHi Andrew, it’s possible to use 185 grams cake flour instead of all-purpose flour, if you prefer that type of flour. For the frosting, you can use less sugar but the frosting might be too thin. You can always add more sugar later, until the frosting is thick enough.
Synthia
August 11, 2018 at 2:07 pmHi Shiran!
I have been searching across your site for a butter-less cake recipe but I haven’t found any. Do you have any butter-less cake or frosting recipe?
Shiran
August 12, 2018 at 9:55 amI do have cake recipes that use oil and not butter (such as orange almond cake or maple nut cake), but I use butter in most of my cakes.
MaryAnn
August 12, 2018 at 8:41 amThese cupcakes were amazing! Definitely the best I ever made.
Maddie
August 12, 2018 at 5:13 pmYour cake recipes are amazing
Linda
August 13, 2018 at 4:43 pmCan you make this without a stand mixer? I have a mixer.
Shiran
August 15, 2018 at 8:51 amHi Linda, if using a mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer) the cupcakes will be light and fluffy. You can make it without a mixer, but the texture might be a bit different. Read this guide. Mix the butter and sugar thoroughly first with a whisk or a wooden spoon until light and fluffy, then continue with the recipe.
Jeannette
August 14, 2018 at 3:08 pmApproximately how many mini-cupcakes will this recipe make? I have never made mini-cupcakes before and am going to make them for my daughter’s birthday. Not sure if I can get away with making them the day before or very early the morning of. Will they dry out alot if I put them in the fridge overnight?
Shiran
August 15, 2018 at 8:37 amHi Jeannette, this recipe yield about 36 mini cupcakes, but keep in mind that different size pans hold different volumes of batters. You can make the cupcakes and frost them a day before and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will be ok!
Cupcake
August 22, 2018 at 7:46 pmThese are THE best cupcakes I’ve EVER made. So easy to make, but with delicious results. I’ve already made them three times! However, I have a question, if I don’t have regular sugar, can I use powdered sugar? Would that alter the taste?
Shiran
August 23, 2018 at 7:56 amIt should be ok but I can’t say for sure how it will affect the recipe without testing it. Powdered sugar has cornstarch in it so it will make a slight change in the final result. If you use powdered sugar, you’ll need to use 1 and 3/4 cups powdered sugar instead of 1 cup granulated sugar.
Sam
September 21, 2018 at 10:38 amjust made these cupcakes and i love them!! was searching for the perfect moist light cupcakes and i found the perfect recipe! thank you so much.
with this batch i made 12 cupcakes normal and 24 minicupcakes 🙂
Priyadarshini Cs
September 26, 2018 at 3:33 pmMade these cupcakes yesterday and they were so yummy and perfect!! Thanks so much for this blog!
Amalie
October 17, 2018 at 6:33 pmSimply the best vanilla cupcakes I’ve ever come across thanks so much.
Celine
October 25, 2018 at 11:10 amI’m looking to make these for a friends party this weekend. Can I use stick baking margarine instead of butter? Dont have butter readily available.
Shiran
October 28, 2018 at 9:50 amYou can, the cupcakes will be ok, but the flavor will be different.
Dani
October 30, 2019 at 3:04 pmHello! If I don’t have whole milk, will 2% be okay or will that affect the final result?
Shiran
October 31, 2019 at 5:24 amIt would work, but in my opinion they will be less tasty. 3% is preferred.
Nabila
November 2, 2018 at 2:26 pmI’d like to add sprinkles to this recipe, how much would be needed?
Thanks!
Shiran
November 4, 2018 at 8:33 amAdd about 1/3 cup of sprinkles.
Patricia Melia Moore
November 2, 2018 at 3:37 pmWondering about adding white chocolate chips to this recipe. Making mini cupcakes. Any advice?
Shiran
November 4, 2018 at 8:15 amYou can add chocolate chips if you like, about 1/2 cup.
alita
November 9, 2018 at 2:19 amvery nice recipe, I baked this cupcakes my whole family loved it, however i add a lil twist to it but i didnt change the recipe at all I just bake a batch with lemon zest, a batch with cinnamon and a batch with rum it was amaaaazinng
Rita
November 17, 2018 at 12:14 pmHi !!!
I’m 11 and I’m going to try to make these cupcakes on Thanksgiving 🙂
bocetaum
December 10, 2018 at 3:16 pmsoooo delicious cant believe I made it! haha 🙂 really great recipe
Manju Sujith
December 18, 2018 at 11:09 pmCan I use oil instead of butter
Shiran
December 19, 2018 at 7:59 amI’ve only made this recipe using butter, sorry!
Hadley
December 28, 2018 at 7:31 pmBest recipe EVER !!
Cynthia Samoorian
January 13, 2019 at 6:09 pmMade your cupcakes for a wedding tasting. They were perfect. The couple loved everything about them. Thanks for sharing.
Emily
January 15, 2019 at 7:35 pmI made these tonight with my six year old daughter for her class and they turned out just right! So simple and easy to do. I doubled the recipe and ended up with 48. The recipe says yields one dozen but I think the one standard recipe yields a full 24. But this was great and now we have lots of cupcakes to eat at home and at school!
Edison
January 22, 2019 at 10:19 amMay I use this recipe for a video? I’ll give a shoutout and a link.
deep goyal
February 6, 2019 at 2:05 amThese vanilla cakes are one of my favorites. Pics you used are looking so good.
Thanks for sharing this vanilla cupcake recipe Shiran 🙂
Nancye
March 1, 2019 at 7:21 pmTell me what I did wrong! I was so looking forward to these cupcakes. I baked them in a standard muffin pan. They overflowed, has huge holes in the cake, and fell in the center. Help!
Shiran
March 5, 2019 at 3:39 amIt sounds like you filled the cups with too much batter.
Amber Wells
April 12, 2019 at 11:27 amamazing it tasted amazing i made this for my best friends b-day and everyone loved it
Isabel
April 28, 2019 at 9:00 pmHi Shiran, just found this recipe and absolutely love it! New favorite vanilla cupcake recipe for sure (and I used buttermilk, with the edits you suggested in another comment). What do you think about making mini cakes (4”) with this recipe? Would appreciate your thoughts on baking temp and time! Thanks!
Allie
May 10, 2019 at 9:44 amCan I use salted butter? It doesn’t specify which one to use and I have salted right now that I can use up. Should I just omit the salt if I do? Same question for your buttercream frosting.
Thank you! Can’t wait to make these!
Barbara
May 11, 2019 at 3:13 pmHello I would love to make these cupcakes for my daughter’s gender reveal party. However, I don’t have a standing mixer. Would I be able to use a regular hand mixer instead?
Alice
May 11, 2019 at 5:05 pmI love this recipe. It is delicious.
– Thank you
Megha
May 28, 2019 at 11:13 amThanks for sharing your amazing recipe! The cupcakes are super moist and so flavourful, absolutely love them!
Cynthia
June 9, 2019 at 10:04 amI’m using this vanilla cupcake recipe for a wedding in a couple of weeks. Was wondering if I can double or triple the recipe.
Barbara S sheehan
June 15, 2019 at 9:41 pmDO YOU EVER USE CAKE FLOUR INSTEAD OF ALL PURPOSE FLOUR? I DON’T UNDERSTAND
THE DIFFERENCE — SOME RECIPES INSIST ON CAKE FLOUR AND SOME LIKE YOURS DONT.
Komal Lawrence
June 22, 2019 at 8:57 amIs it unsalted butter that you use?
Shiran
July 1, 2019 at 4:24 amYes.
Alix
June 26, 2019 at 1:06 amI’m having troubles with the recipe, works amazing single batch… but if your double or triple it the batter seems to separate during baking and the texture is off? Is it that it can’t be yielded to more than 12 per mixing?
hellogreetings
June 27, 2019 at 11:12 pmThese cupcakes are scrumptious and easy to make. Swapping regular flour for gluten free flour, it’s still delicious – although a tad crumbly. It has such a yum stand alone taste, the icing is really the “icing on top”!
Monika
July 6, 2019 at 1:28 pmThese are really simple to make for a novice baker! Light, fluffy, and the taste reminds me of sugar cookies 🙂
Mya
July 11, 2019 at 6:39 pmHi Shiran,
I just fed this amazing recipe!!!! I am so glad I tried out you’re website today and I definitely don’t regret it!!
I used you’re cream cheese frosting recipe along with you’re vanilla cupcake recipe and it was delicious!!
I decided to make them vanilla, spice cupcakes in stead so I added some nutmeg, all-spice and ground ginger and it tastes even more amazing! I am a pretty amazing baker myself so I know what to expect when I find a recipe. If you’re famous great but if you’re not you should put it on you’re bucket list and you can cross it off within a week because you are someone worth being famous!
thank you so much for the amazing delicious recipes, Mya
Rebecca
July 18, 2019 at 5:32 pmThese are delicious.
I don’t have an electric mixer so I had to do it by hand but they still turned out great!
Laurie
August 5, 2019 at 1:27 amI just made these cupcakes tonight, followed the recipe to a T which was easy to do because it’s such a simple recipe to follow. I actually ended up with 16 total cupcakes but that’s just fine with me. These cupcakes taste amazing and from now on this will be my go-to vanilla cupcake recipe.
Laura
August 5, 2019 at 2:20 amI love this recipe! Was wondering if it would alter the texture of the cakes if I mixed in some blueberries?
Shiran
August 13, 2019 at 4:12 amIt’s ok to mix in some blueberries!
Yael
August 9, 2019 at 4:12 amFollowed the recipe exactly. So yummy and moist!
Holly
August 19, 2019 at 5:01 amHi there, I use this recipe all the time for cupcakes and large cakes and absolutely love it!
I’ve been asked to make a cake with Oat milk and Vitalite instead of normal milk and butter (The boy is allergic to dairy).
Would it be okay to use these instead? Thank you in advance! 🙂
Maryam
August 29, 2019 at 3:49 pmHi!
I made these cupcakes and they turned out awesome!!! Loved the fact that they were not overpoweringly sweet!
They were also super easy to make:)
jess
November 12, 2019 at 7:47 amLove this recipe so much! My only problem, is that some of the cupcakes have, I would describe as, air pockets. I make sure I don’t overfill the cupcake liner. When I take them out, I would say a third of them has this issue. it’s like when the cupcake rises..theres some parts of the cupcake (mostly on the outer part/side) that would still be liquidy w/air pockets and then I have to pop them and it deflates…then becomes crispy. is there something I am doing wrong? this doesn’t happen to all the cupcakes though? the rest turn out perfect. help?
Shiran
November 24, 2019 at 3:21 amHi Jess, it’s hard to tell what went wrong without being there. Does this happen to all cupcakes you make? If some cupcakes turn out ok, maybe the the oven heats unevenly.
Ruby
November 22, 2019 at 5:11 amHi can you kindly give me the ingredients in metric please?
Sharon
December 30, 2019 at 8:12 pmI was trying to find a good recipe for cupcakes and I loved yours the best. Can you tell me about how many cupcakes will this make.
Sharon C.
December 30, 2019 at 8:14 pmI was trying to find a good recipe for cupcakes and I loved yours the best. Can you tell me about how many cupcakes will this make.
Milly
April 5, 2020 at 5:22 pm12 cupcakes
Ishwerya
May 19, 2020 at 1:11 amThe best cupcake recipe! It was a hit for the first time itself. Everyone just loved it. Thank you!
AUDREY E RODRIGUES
February 19, 2020 at 6:29 amHi Shiran!
Thanks a ton for this awesome recipe! I am a champ at chocolate cupcakes and decided to try my hands at vanilla! your recipe is simple and yet the cupcakes are yuuuuum!!
Bethany
February 21, 2020 at 10:19 amHi,
What is a standard size cupcake?
AnnT
March 9, 2020 at 8:24 amThis recipe works. Yielded delicious cupcakes. Yum…..
Rochelle
March 12, 2020 at 12:15 pm100% the best cake recipe to date! I made these last week for my son’s 7th birthday and all of my guests RAVED! Thank you for elevating my baking prowess in my community! I cannot wait to make these again. Cheers!
Milly
March 19, 2020 at 6:18 pmThis recipe tastes amazing. I made it into a cake for my son’s birthday and he loved it. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Shiran
March 20, 2020 at 10:31 amHappy birthday! 🙂
Marcelle Polednik
March 27, 2020 at 8:15 pmHow could you convert this to a layer cake recipe?
I don’t have sour cream on hand 🙁
Harumi
March 29, 2020 at 9:58 pmAMAZING! Everyone in my house loved them! Recommend 100%!
simran dhairyawan
April 2, 2020 at 2:47 pmamazing recipe! cupcake sponge was so soft and airy . PERFECT.
just added 1/4 cup oil to this recipe
Maddy
April 4, 2020 at 2:42 pmThe amazing recipe I loved baking with it. The cupcakes taste amazing!!!!!
Jennifer
April 11, 2020 at 9:17 pmThese.are.amazing. I added sprinkles to the batter and topped with your basic buttercream for my son’s second birthday. I’ll never buy a box again. Thank you for posting this!!!!
Mariam Jalloh
April 18, 2020 at 10:10 pmThis is such a great recipe. I have never baked before in my life, so I was a bit scared as to what the results would be. The cupcakes turned out great! They had such a nice fluffy texture even with the thick batter. Would highly recommend this recipe.
Francesca
April 30, 2020 at 8:29 pmFinally a great vanilla cupcake recipe!
Kjerstin Fogo
May 5, 2020 at 11:06 amThis recipe sounds delicious!
Neema Okal
May 23, 2020 at 4:23 amDelicious…..I tried it today and came out nice…What a wonderful recipe, simple, easy, delicious…..love love this – will use it often…
Cupcakes!!
June 6, 2020 at 4:31 amThese cupcakes were one of the best cupcakes I’ve ever made! My entire family was shocked that I made such amazing cupcakes, (I’m not the best baker…)!
Anne
June 13, 2020 at 4:50 pmThanks for sharing this recipe. I made a batch today and made a mistake of putting 3 eggs instead of 2. It still turned out really good though, my family and I love it! We didn’t even need frosting, it was yummy even without frosting. Oh yeah, another mistake I made and the biggest one is that I didn’t double the recipe! I had to tell my kids that this was just to test it out, and that next time I’ll make sure to double the recipe.
Maggie May
June 16, 2020 at 10:43 pmI made these luscious little beauties with gluten-free flour, and they came out light and fluffy and wonderful! I also made them vegan by using an egg substitute, and I clabbered the milk with a teaspoon of vinegar to insure fluffiness. So good! Thanks!
Andrea
July 9, 2020 at 1:55 amTried these for the first time last week since I had a young family coming over, it was a hit with the adults and the toddlers too!
K Smith
July 13, 2020 at 12:23 pmPerfect! Now that I know how simple and quick it was to make cupcakes from scratch, I will never go back to the box. The difference in taste and texture is incredible. My kids and I have made them several times now. We have to substitute coconut oil for butter and almond milk but they are still delicious. We’ve made your buttercream frosting (with Earth Balance) which is also fantastic. Thank you!!
Anna
July 17, 2020 at 8:53 amWhat would happen if I added an egg white to the two eggs in this recipe? Would it ruin the cupcakes or give it a more fluffy texture?
Thanks! I’m loving the blog
Shiran
July 27, 2020 at 4:41 amThanks, Anna 🙂 I don’t know what would be the result exactly without trying it, but it won’t ruin the texture, and would probably be ok.
Laura
July 19, 2020 at 3:53 pmThese made fantastic cupcakes. I used soy milk as some different flavoring, and these bakes up beautifully! One of the best cupcake recipes I’ve tried yet.
Deborah
July 29, 2020 at 3:37 pmDELICIOUS!!! I just made these and cut the recipe in half to just test it out to see if I liked it, and I love it!! I have a question though, could I fold in sprinkles to make these into funfetti sprinkles? I like this recipe way more than any funfetti one I have ever made!
Shiran
August 20, 2020 at 5:47 amYes you can 🙂 Or maybe try my funfetti cupcake recipe.
Deborah
July 29, 2020 at 3:38 pmDELICIOUS!!! I just made these and cut the recipe in half to just test it out to see if I liked it, and I love it!! I have a question though, could I fold in sprinkles to make these into funfetti sprinkles? I like this recipe way more than any funfetti one I have ever made! Thank you
elaine
August 5, 2020 at 11:22 pmthat was a bit rude henryetta
Shannon
August 15, 2020 at 4:47 amThis is the best recipe ever! I tried these cupcakes today and they turned out exactly like the delicious fluffy ones you get from the store! I’m so glad I came across this recipe. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Alaycia
August 24, 2020 at 4:38 amThis cupcake recipe is amazing!
Amrita Menon
August 27, 2020 at 3:46 amThank you soooo much for this recipe!!! It’s amazing. I have made this almost 5 times now and every batch comes out just as perfect as the first time! They are soo fluffy but a little crispy on top(which is way I like it). Anyways I will surely recommend this to my friends!!
Mae
August 30, 2020 at 9:14 pmThis recipe is sooooooo amazing!!!!!! My family and I enjoyed this recipe very much.
Mae
August 30, 2020 at 9:20 pmThis recipe is sooooooo amazing!!!!!!
Critter
September 3, 2020 at 5:12 pmThis recipe is really sweet good!!!!!!!!!!i helped my mom make it , and my whole family loved it!
jenn
September 4, 2020 at 1:39 pmI made these cupcakes this morning and maybe I did something wrong… the batter was a little thick when I filled the cups but didn’t think much of it. The rose well in the oven and have a nice dome. But the bottoms were very greasy and some of the cupcakes have big holes inside them. Maybe I didn’t let the butter come to room temperature or I didn’t cream the butter/sugar long enough? What do you think?
Charlotte
September 5, 2020 at 7:29 amAmazing! My go to recipe for vanilla cupcakes. I subbed the butter for margarine and used gluten free flour as my mum and sister are lactose/gluten intolerant, and they were just as delicious they loved them! Thank you!
Owami
September 6, 2020 at 10:12 amThis recipe is so delicious. It is light and airy and not to sweet so that you can add icing. Its is so fluffy and not to moist. It also uses everyday ingrediants so that everyone with and oven can make. This is now my go-to recipe.
Noel
September 10, 2020 at 1:32 pmDo you use unsalted butter? I want to make them for my nephew birthday..
Shiran
September 13, 2020 at 3:20 amYes, unsalted butter!
Mary
September 19, 2020 at 4:03 ami loved it! 🙂
Vidhusha
October 23, 2020 at 8:29 pmThis recipe is perfect. The cupcakes we light and fluffy!
I halved the recipe and made 12 mini cupcakes.
Thank Shiran 🙂
Nikki
October 28, 2020 at 9:56 pmI love this recipe so much I bake a lot but now that I found this recipe I’mma be using it A LOT tysm!!
Kelly
November 11, 2020 at 9:00 pmCan I use Caster sugar or does it have to be regular table sugar?
Shiran
November 15, 2020 at 6:32 amYou can use caster sugar instead (same amount in grams).
Tina Maria
December 27, 2020 at 5:27 pmI really love this recipe! It was the first ever time I made cupcakes and your recipe was the one I found. They’re very moist and soft. Just follow the exact recipe (exact quantity and the order of steps), and they come at perfect each time. I’m going to try your chocolate cupcakes next!
Sophie
January 13, 2021 at 9:13 pmi made a few batches of this recipe for a garage sale and they turned out amazing! im only 12 but it went perfect. love it.
Georgia Mckay
February 19, 2021 at 6:53 amHi, love this recipe definitely the best, so light, can I just ask if the time for baking changes if I put it in one big cake rather than cupcakes
Shiran
February 22, 2021 at 1:59 amYes! The baking time would be much longer if you make a large cake.
Nayla
February 9, 2021 at 11:53 amHello ! Can you we use this recipe for a vanilla cake instead of muffins? Thanks !
Shiran
February 22, 2021 at 2:53 amYes, you can 🙂
Sibley Higgins
February 13, 2021 at 4:43 pmI doubled the recipe, and the batter came out great. They were delicious, and I will defiantly use this again in the future!!!
Karla
February 15, 2021 at 1:56 pmHello!!
Can other milk be used? Like coconut or almond milk?
Shiran
February 22, 2021 at 2:41 amYes! The flavor and texture would be different though. Coconut milk would work great.
Natalie
February 19, 2021 at 7:25 amThese cupcakes are awesome!!! I made them for my family once and they remembered it to this day!!! It tasted great and it is awesome for sweet toothed people or just the ones who only really enjoy under sweetened things.
Madi :D
March 16, 2021 at 2:46 pmHi! I’m 11 and I was making these for a saint Patrick’s party and they came out great! The batter looked thick but it turns out that didn’t matter because these cupcakes were awesome! You should totally try this!
Susan
March 20, 2021 at 5:40 pmThese were fantastic. We loved the flavor and texture. They baked up beautifully moist and we’re just as good the next day. I’ve been reading about reducing the sugar in recipes without ruining the outcome. I used 160 grams in this recipe with no problem. I’m trying your chocolate cupcake recipe next.
Deborah
April 10, 2021 at 9:07 pmI have made these twice and doubled the recipe both times. They are wonderful!! Easy to make, don’t require special ingredients and have been perfect each time! Thank you!
Marianne
April 30, 2021 at 10:38 pmHello,
This has been my “go to” vanilla recipe for over a year! It is fantastic! I was wondering how you think it would work by adding jimmies to the batter to make “funfetti” cupcakes?
Thank you so much in advance for your thoughts 🙂
Shiran
May 2, 2021 at 1:57 pmHi Marianne, yes you can add jimmies to the batter, it won’t change the recipe 🙂