Easy Vanilla Cupcakes

This recipe for Easy Vanilla Cupcakes is a classic that everyone will love.

I love a good cake recipe, but after making an entire cake, I’m left feeling a little worn out! These Easy Vanilla Cupcakes give you all the deliciousness of a nice moist cake but in a small cupcake form! These cupcakes are simple to make, but they are still just as light, fluffy, and moist as any complicated cupcake recipe out there!

At first glance, they might not seem like much, but underneath all that decadent frosting, you’ll find a cupcake that could rival any baker’s dozen! Although cupcakes can be a time-consuming process, my vanilla cupcakes are so easy to make! The most challenging part of this recipe will be not eating them all in one sitting!

This is a great recipe to have on hand for parties, birthdays, or any time where you feel like a cupcake is needed! These easy vanilla cupcakes will satisfy any sweet craving you might be having, and is the ultimate treat for those short on time and looking for something easy.

Shopping List

Cupcakes:

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Frosting:

• Salted butter
• Shortening
• Powdered sugar

Simple Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

For the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts, step-by-step instructions and tips, please scroll down to the Recipe Card below. Jump to Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
2. Add the dry cupcake ingredients to a large mixer bowl and combine. Set aside.
3. Add the wet cupcake ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and combine.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until well combined.
5. Slowly add the water to the batter and mix on low speed. Make sure everything is well combined. The batter will be very thin.
6. Fill the cupcake liners about halfway and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool.

How to Make Vanilla Frosting

1. To make the frosting, combine the butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl and mix.
2. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar in small amounts and mix until smooth.
3. Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of water or milk and mix.
4. Add remaining powdered sugar.
5. Add remaining water or milk as needed until you’ve reached a frosting consistency.
6. Frost the cupcakes.

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Easy Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe

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When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures!

And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

Easy Vanilla Cupcakes

Delcious and easy vanilla cupcakes are a classic dessert that's perfect for every occasion.

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Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Easy vanilla cupcakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 26 cupcakes

Calories: 291kcal

Author: Ang Paris

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• electric mixer
• Muffin Tins – Two 12 Count

Ingredients

VANILLA CUPCAKES

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup water

VANILLA FROSTING

• 1/2 cup salted butter room temperature
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 –3 tbsp water or milk

Instructions

Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350°F (or 176°C) and add cupcake liners to a pan.
• Add the dry ingredients for your cupcakes (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) to a large mixing bowl and combine. Set aside.
• Add the wet ingredients for your cupcakes (milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs) to a medium-sized bowl and combine.
• Combine the wet and the dry ingredients and beat well.
• Slowly add water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well-combined. The batter will be very thin.
• Fill cupcake liners about halfway and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out cleanly. A few crumbs are fine.
• Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes. Then move them from the pan to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Frosting

• To make the frosting, combine the butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
• Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, about a half a cup at a time, into your mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
• Add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of water or milk and mix.
• Add remaining powdered sugar and mix.
• Add remaining water or milk as needed. Mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy, but not too wet.
• Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes using the piping tip of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.