
There are tons of recipes for the most classic cupcake of them all. The vanilla cupcake! I have lost track on how many different recipes, that I have tried to myself. Some were good, some were bad and some failed to a disaster. There are many different opinions on what makes a good vanilla cupcake. So, no wonder why there are thousands of vanilla cupcake recipes out there.

I went through a stack of old recipes, and I were thrilled to find an old recipe for vanilla cupcakes. I remember them as a bit too greasy but with a good taste. So I decided to make some small modifications to the recipe and made a test batch. They came out great.
A perfect vanilla cupcake! That bake perfect too. Half of the paper cases were filled with a heaped tablespoon of batter and the rest were filled 3/4 full. They are good without frosting but they are certainly also good with a nice swirl of frosting on top. So far, I have tried them with Angel Feather Icing. It is a really good combination. I cannot wait to try them with other types of frosting.

These cupcakes are also good the next day. Would you like to try the classic vanilla cupcakes? Then scroll down for the recipe.

Classic Vanilla Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes.
Ingredients.
125 g (1/2 cup – 4 oz + a little less than a tbsp) unsalted butter (room temperature)
175 g (7/8 cup – 6 oz) white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean
3 large eggs (room temperature)
225 g (1 5/8 cup – 8 oz) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
80 ml (1/3 cup) cream (heavy cream)(room temperature)
Muffin tray
12 cupcake paper cases
Preheat oven to 170 C (325F) No fan used.
Note: When making the cupcake batter, only use low/medium speed on your mixer. I like to use my handheld mixer, as this gives me a better feeling with the batter. It is important that you don’t over beat the batter.
Direction.
In a bowl, whisk well together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter & sugar until pale and well combined (If you are using vanilla seeds, then add this before creaming the butter & sugar)
Add 1 egg at a time. Mix in between and remember to scrape down the sides before adding a new egg.
Add the dry mixture, along with the cream and vanilla extract. Mix just until incorporated. Alternative use a spatula for this part.
Take your muffin tray with the cupcake paper cases and fill them with the cupcake batter.
-If you want a “flat” cupcake? You should only fill 1 heaped tablespoon per cupcake.
-If you want a more “domed” cupcake? You should fill the paper cases 3/4 full.
Place the muffin tray in the middle of the oven and bake the cupcakes for 30-35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean and they are light golden on the top.
Note: If some of the cupcakes should have a little “open crack” on the top. Gently press it down with the back of a spoon, the minute after you have taken the cupcakes out of the oven.
Transfer the baked cupcakes to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before decorating them with frosting.
TIP! You can use other types of flavor, like almond instead of vanilla. Or if you would like to try another great cupcake recipe? Why not, try these Best Banana Cupcakes?
Happy Caking!
Louise













56 comments
Ct says:
May 11, 2012
Hi Louise, i’am one of ur silence reader.i really love ur blog.I tried this recipe it turned out great.I wanted so much to try out this recipe but i dont have cream so i used milk!!it turned out non greasy n i substitued abt 75 grms flour to cocoa to make chocolate cupcake.Anyway thanks for ur lovely blog.
Louise says:
May 14, 2012
Thank you for sharing
janie says:
Apr 19, 2012
Hi,
I am a novice baker, and this recipe looks easy enough for me to try. The cupcakes look so pretty. Can I also use this recipe for a sheet cake, or do I have make some modifications?
Louise says:
Apr 24, 2012
I have not tried it for regular cakes like a sheet cake, not sure if it will be too dense?
Patricia says:
Mar 23, 2012
Hi Louise, thanks for all your help. I do use grams on my scale when necessary and I also fill my frosting bags standing them in a glass. It’s possible that my bag was a little bit too small. I probably just had a messy day. Our grandson turns 5 today and I will be baking and decorating a dinosaur birthday cake for him. Luckily his family party is next week so I have a little time. I am contemplating creating fondant dinosaurs. Today I am going to experiment with coconut cupcakes and coconut frosting. We love coconut here.
Patricia says:
Mar 16, 2012
Hi Louise, I baked a batch of vanilla cupcakes earlier today. The liners didn’t separate which was excellent although I did see a little bit of grease on the paper bottoms and in the pans but that was not an issue with me. I only baked the cupcakes for 25 minutes and not the time mentioned in the recipe. I wished that I had set the timer for 20 minutes because they were too done. I usually bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes and then check them. I wish I had done that today. I’ll remember next time. I topped them with the Angel Feather icing. I think this icing is better suited for frosting a cake. I made quite a mess trying to get the icing in the pastry bag. Also, I always bake with King Arthur flour which made me wonder if that was why the cupcakes were a little more dense. We enjoyed a cupcake and a hot cup of tea. I’ll be trying this recipe in a cake pan next. Thanks for your assistance.
Louise says:
Mar 20, 2012
No ovens bakes the same, unfortunately. I do hope that it works the next time. For the icing it is much more easy if you place the piping bag in a tall glass or pitcher before you fill it with icing.
Patricia says:
Mar 15, 2012
I just printed your Classic Vanilla Cupcake recipe and will give it a try tomorrow after I go to the store to buy some cream. A few months back I bought a kitchen scale that has both ounces and grams so I shouldn’t have any trouble with weighing the ingredients. I haven’t made too many cupcakes up until now and when I did I used a cake recipe. I also recall using a few recipes from Martha Stewart’s cupcake book. I appreciate your reply.
Louise says:
Mar 20, 2012
Good to hear that you have a kitchen scale. I find it much better to use than cups. Do use grams if possible.
Patricia says:
Mar 14, 2012
Hello Louise, like you, I am self-taught. When I use grease proof cupcake liners they pull away from the cupcake after baking and it looks unsightly. Am I supposed to then put the cupcakes into another cupcake liner? I did it and found it looking too messy. Perhaps I should have removed the liner and put it into a second one? Can you detect my frustration. I’ve made hundreds of cakes and wedding cakes in the past but now that there are grandchildren in the family I find myself making cupcakes more. I love them but I am not getting the result that I like. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Louise says:
Mar 14, 2012
Have you tried this recipe? I have not had any problems with my cupcakes baked in grease proof liners. Often it can also have something to do with the recipe. I am guessing that you have tried several recipes?
Natasha says:
Feb 22, 2012
Hi Louise, I just love your recipes and tip that you give.I’m new to your blog & Facebook and may I say – W O W – this site is amazing. I have a little question for this recipe that i will be doing this weekend , can it be double to make a bigger batch or is it better to do them separately..??
Louise says:
Feb 23, 2012
I think it’s best to do one batch at a time. Because I only bake one tray at a time. If you bake more than one tray at a time you can of course make a double batch.
Jina says:
Feb 13, 2012
Nice cup cakes !
I like your Blog
Thanks a lot !