Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

This made-from-scratch recipe is quick and easy and tastes way better than the boxed stuff. This is your go-to recipe when you want delicious vanilla cupcakes, made in just one bowl, with no boxed mix required!

If you love these cupcakes, then you’ll love our original Most Amazing Vanilla Cake.

Why My Recipe

Made with a one-bowl batter and ready in under 30 minutes!
Buttermilk and a combination of butter and vegetable oil make these cupcakes ultra moist, while still giving you the best flavor.
5 delicious frosting options are included below!

A vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and colorful sprinkles on a plate.

Homemade moist and fluffy vanilla cupcakes in under 30 minutes? Yes, please! This recipe is so easy to make, no more grabbing grocery-store cupcakes (who knows how long those have been sitting there) or whipping up a boxed mix. These cupcakes pair perfectly with a wide variety of frostings. I love a classic buttercream, or go ahead and try your hand at any of the options below!

Ingredient Notes

Salted Butter: Unsalted butter can be used, but add an extra pinch of salt to the batter. Make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
Vegetable Oil: Provides essential moisture for the softest cake texture. This recipe uses a combination of butter and vegetable oil so you can get the best balance between the two with moisture and flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Stick with standard granulated sugar for best results.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang to balance the sweetness. Warm it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to bring it to room temperature quickly.
Eggs: Room-temperature eggs make for a fluffier cake. To warm eggs quickly, submerge them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract if possible for the best results.
All-Purpose Flour: Cake flour can also work in this recipe, but all-purpose flour is your staple go-to.
Baking Powder: Check the expiration date to ensure proper leavening.

Frosting Options

Buttercream Frosting: Buttercream is our go-to frosting, and it’s pretty easy to see why once you’ve tried it. It is perfectly sweet and creamy, and tastes fantastic. We can eat this stuff by the spoonful. However, we promise it’s even better on top of a cake or cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting: This frosting is creamy, thick, and has a slight tang. Simply add cocoa powder for a chocolate version.

Ermine Frosting: Also known as boiled milk frosting, Ermine frosting provides a lighter alternative with a fluffy texture and a subtle sweetness.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Frosting: A simple and easy way to make a creamy, sweet frosting. Whether you are making chocolate or vanilla frosting, it only takes 3 ingredients!

7 Minute Frosting: Made with egg whites and cream of tartar for a light and fluffy meringue-like frosting with the perfect, bright white color.

Pro Tip

This cupcake recipe is already quite fluffy. For an extra fluffy cupcake, separate your eggs. Add the yolks in to the batter and beat the egg whites separately. Fold the egg whites in with the finished batter for the ultimate fluffy cupcake.

A hand opening the wrapper of a vanilla cupcake with white frosting and colorful sprinkles.

Baking Tips

Do not over mix your batter. You should only mix it until the ingredients are just combined. Over mixing will develop the gluten in the recipe which will make your cupcakes rise in the oven, and then fall as soon as it is removed. This is what makes for a dense cupcake.

Keep the oven door closed! If you want to check on your cupcakes, simply peak through the window. Opening the door lets heat escape and lets cold air rush in. This creates uneven baking, especially with cupcakes.

Bake cupcakes in the center of the oven for the most even distribution of heat.

Remove the cupcakes from the pan immediately after removing from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Letting them stay in the pan will continue baking the cupcakes and could dry out your cupcakes.