Vanilla Cupcakes
If it’s anything I love it’s a good Vanilla Cupcakes. This recipe is one I have been using forever.
Vanilla Cupcakes
It is my kids favourite cupcakes. I thought seeing it was Valentine’s Day I would spoil them a little.
They like a soft, moist cupcake with not too much frosting. This was just that and they devoured it.
I also shared some with my neighbours and they’re always excited when I bake.
As I always say I am not that great a cake decorator but I do know how to bake. There was a time when I did bake a lot of novelty cakes.
They weren’t perfect but I did try and I think I did pretty good for an amateur. These days I don’t have the patience.
Ingredients required
These super soft and moist cupcakes does not require any exotic ingredients. Just simple pantry staples.
Due to the fact that I am a spontaneous baker I love recipes that uses ingredients that I always have at hand. Makes life simple.
For these cupcakes you require cake wheat flour, butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla essence and milk. The secret is in the method.
How to make the cupcakes
There was a time in my life when I was absolutely obsessed with The Cake Boss. It’s where I first learned to make cupcakes using the technique I use for these.
You will need to beat the eggs for 4 minutes. You then add the sugar and beat for another 4 minutes.
This technique incorporates air into the batter thus giving you a light and airy cupcake. It works perfectly for me.
When adding the eggs and sugar to the bowl first start on a low speed for about 30 seconds and then increase to a medium speed and continue beating.
As you will know if you’ve been following me for a while, I am a little crazy. I don’t always do things the way others do it.
I prefer doing things that are simplified but work. In this instance I do not add little bits of flour like most do.
For me adding all the flour at once works. After I add the flour to the egg/sugar mixture I give it a quick mix.
Then I drizzle the milk in as I am beating. This works perfectly for me.
No folding required and no over-mixing. I mix just until everything is incorporated and that’s it.
These cupcakes have a fine crumb, just the way I like them. It’s literally melt-in-your mouth.
Baking the cupcakes
When filling the cupcake liners do not over-fill them. They should be about 3/4 full or they will have a dome and that isn’t suitable for decorating.
Of course if you prefer not to decorate them then fill them more.
Buttercream Frosting
This is also my frosting recipe that I have used for many years. It is creamy and delicious.
The trick to making a light and airy buttercream frosting is in the beating. You will need to beat the frosting for at least 8 minutes in total.
You will need a bit of muscle power but it’s so worth it. Because it is a small batch of buttercream icing I prefer to use a hand mixer rather than a stand mixer.
However, feel free to use your stand mixer if you prefer.
Vanilla Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 cup cake wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup/62gram butter
- 1/2 cup milk
Buttercream Frosting
- 125 gram/1/2 cup butter soft but not warm
- 2 cups/500ml icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
- 3 tablespoon fresh cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside
- Place eggs in a large bowl and beat on low speed for a few seconds and then beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Add sugar and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes
- Add the vanilla essence and mix. Melt the butter and milk in the microwave for 40-50 seconds
- Add the sifted flour and baking powder and give it a quick mix on medium speed until just combined. Doesn't have to be fully combined
- Slowly drizzle in the melted butter/milk mixture and mix , still using the electric mixer on medium speed, until just combined. Do not over mix
- Divide the batter between the 12 cupcake liners and bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
- Decorate as desired
Buttercream Frosting
- Place the butter in a bowl and beat until light and creamy. Should take about 3-4 minutes
- Add little bits of icing sugar and keep beating until light and creamy. Add the vanilla essence as you beat
- Add the fresh cream. Use all 3 tablespoons or as required, depending on the consistency you prefer
Notes
- Please use proper measuring cups when baking. Here in SA we use a 250ml for 1 cup and 125ml for half cup
- Your butter and milk mixture must be very warm to slightly hot. I prefer to heat mine in the microwave just after I add the vanilla essence
Easy recipe and came out perfect. Thank you
Thank you so much Zuraida:-)
I love baking I will try this recipe thanks for sharing
I knew you would not disappoint. This is my go to Vanilla cupcake recipe. Thank you so much!
Thank you. Glad you found a recipe that works:-)
Can I use all purpose flour if I don’t have cake wheat flour
Yes you can
Delicious. My 11 year old son helped to make this. We used a loaf pan and it came out beautifully. Just enough quantity so there is no wastage. Thank you.
Thank you so much. Glad you and your son enjoyed baking them:-)
Delicious as always. I added in orange juice and some rind to the battle. Also added a touch of orange juice to the icing. Thanks Lorraine. My 11 year old son loooves this and he helps with making the batter. Only problem I have is that he can’t wait for the cake to cool down as he desperately wants to eat it…Lol.
My go to birthday recipe every year. Since discovering your website, I cook; bake most meals and cakes following your recipes. Easy to follow and the outcome is always great tasting meals. Love your stories and enjoy the recipes. Thank you!!!