Description
This recipe features delicious vanilla cupcakes that are moist, fluffy, and perfectly sweet. Ideal for any occasion, these classic cupcakes combine simple pantry ingredients with a quick preparation method, producing 12 beautifully tender treats that can be paired with your favorite frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition, then incorporate the pure vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture alternately with the milk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cupcakes.
- Fill Liners and Bake: Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Let cool completely before frosting or serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for proper creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender.
- You can substitute milk with any plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- Bake time might vary slightly depending on your oven; test with a toothpick after 18 minutes.
- Feel free to add frosting, sprinkles, or other decorations after cooling.
