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    Home » Recipes

    Best Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes

    Published: Jun 19, 2015 · Modified: Apr 5, 2025 by Candi Elm · This post may contain affiliate links

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    cupcakes on a plate

    These are the best Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes and recipe for serving on their special occasion.  They have the perfect texture they are moist and made with butter, and can be decorated in so many ways.

    The Best Vanilla Birthday Cupcake Recipe

    I make a lot of cupcakes but Vanilla is the one I make the most. Vanilla cupcakes are also a lot trickier to make than you might think.

    Tips for Making the Best Vanilla Cupcakes

    There are a few ingredients you can’t skimp on to get the best flavor.

    • Real Butter as your fat. Preferably unsalted.
    • Real Vanilla Extract
    • Cake Flour
    • Fresh Baking Powder
    • Large Fresh Eggs Room Temp
    • Whole Milk
    • Oven thermometer 

    It is really important to use the freshest ingredients in your cupcakes, and with Vanilla cupcakes there is no way to get around it. There is no other flavor to disguise less than the top quality ingredients. Also using cake flour will give it a lighter crumb texture.

    You want to preheat your oven to 350 and use a good muffin pan. You will also want to set out your ingredients on the counter to get them at room temp.

    I like to get everything out before I begin. You never know when you are out of stock and didn’t realize it until you are halfway through the recipe.

    I also get out a few mixing bowls and spatulas. Make sure they are clean before you start.

    They sometimes get sticky and gummy in a drawer and I just like to know they are clean before I start.

    I always start by creaming the mixture. The ingredients, in this case, would be butter,  sugar, eggs, and vanilla. One at a time in that order in my stand mixer.

    Then I get a bowl ready and put in the flour, baking powder, and salt. I take my whisk and fluff up everything and get it incorporated.

    Then I add some of the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture and then add some milk and alternate. There is a scientific reason for this and I will post about it soon. So for now, take my word.

    The Best Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes

    When I bake my cupcakes, I use an oven thermometer to make sure the oven isn’t hotter than it says. This way, I can get some accountability.

    I usually leave the cupcakes in from 18 to 22 minutes. I continue to check once it gets to 18 minutes. I don’t like my vanilla to cook completely because it still cooks in the pan once you take it out. So I just want to make sure it’s about 95% done by touching the top.

    Once you take it out of the oven, make sure you take them out of the pan within 5 minutes. It is important that they do not overbake.

    Now you will see how delicious they are. You can decorate them how you like. Have fun with them. These would be a great addition to a birthday tea party.

    Another great ingredient for your cupcakes is Homemade Vanilla Extract in the Instant Pot.

    Recipe for Vanilla Cupcakes

    The Best Vanilla Birthday Cupcake Recipe

    Best Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes

    These are the best Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes and recipe for serving on their special occasion.  They have the perfect texture they are moist and made with butter, and can be decorated in so many ways.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print SaveSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 460kcal
    Author: Candi Elm

    Ingredients  

    Cupcakes

    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 1/2 cup cake flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup of whole milk

    Frosting

    • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
    • 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
    • In electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
    • In Medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.
    • Alternate Dry mix into butter mixture and alternate with milk.
    • Scrape bowl and mix again. Just until smooth. The longer you mix the tougher the cupcake.
    • Bake 18 – 22 minutes just until cakes bounce back when touched. Do no over bake.
    • Take out of oven and leave in pan 5 minutes and remove from pan.
    • Mix butter, sugar one cup at a time, salt and Vanilla. Beat 3 – 5 minutes.
    • Frost and decorate when cupcakes are cool.
    • I used a piping bag and Wilton 1 M tip.

    Notes

    I like to use a 1M tip because the ridges in the swirl help hold the sprinkles on.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 768IU | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @candilandblogs or tag #adayincandiland!

    If you loved this recipe and made it, please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Leave me a comment about your experience with this recipe. You can also pin it to Pinterest or share it on Facebook.

     Other Cupcake Recipes you might like:

    • Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
    • Vegan Banana and Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Dairy Free Buttercream Frosting
    • Christmas Cupcake Recipes
    • Easter Cupcake Recipes

    More Recipes

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    • Iced Blueberry Matcha Latte
    • Carrot Cake Mix Cookies
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    Desserts, Recipes

    About Candi Elm

    Candi Elm is the recipe developer and food photographer at A Day In Candiland where she has been sharing Encouragement, Recipes, and Afternoon Tea Ideas since 2012. Candi currently lives in Southern California with her family and enjoying life to the fullest.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

      June 19, 2015 at 6:50 pm

      I love a vanilla cupcake! These look perfect. 🙂

      Reply
    2. Miguel says

      August 07, 2015 at 3:04 am

      I wish I would have seen this recipe 2 days ago! It was my wife’s birthday and I ended up buying a store-bought chocolate cake. :/ It was good but… you know… there’s just something special about getting home-baked goodies on your birthday!

      Oh, my favorite is either chocolate or vanilla (depending on my mood). 😀

      Reply
    3. Roxana says

      February 05, 2016 at 7:47 am

      My go to cupcakes are usually chocolate of some kind. I totally agree with you… vanilla is tricky. My favorite recipe that I’ve found (so far) uses buttermilk. I’ll definitely try this! Love the tip about the oven thermometer too btw.

      Reply
    4. Mandee Pogue says

      June 07, 2016 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      These look so good! I can’t wait to try them out with my granddaughters soon!

      Reply
    5. Amy says

      February 28, 2017 at 8:21 am

      Wonderful, vanilla cupcakes are my favorite! They look wonderful.

      Reply

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    I’m Candi, a recipe and all things Tea blogger. I create family-friendly recipes along with sharing encouragement in your daily life.

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