If you’ve ever craved a soft, fluffy, and perfectly decorated cupcake, you’ve come to the right place. Cupcakes are the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party, a casual afternoon snack, or a family gathering.
Today, we’re going to guide you through the process of baking delicious cupcakes from scratch. We’ll break down the ingredients, the tools you’ll need, and give you clear, step-by-step instructions to make your cupcakes a sweet success.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients and Tools
Before we start, let’s gather everything we need. Here’s a simple ingredient list for making classic vanilla cupcakes:
Ingredients for Cupcakes:
- 1 cup (240g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Ingredients for Frosting:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (depending on desired consistency)
- A pinch of salt (optional)
Tools You’ll Need:
- Cupcake pan (12-cup standard size)
- upcake liners
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
Now that we’ve gathered everything, let’s move on to the steps.
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cupcake Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, place cupcake liners in each compartment of your cupcake pan. This will prevent the cupcakes from sticking and make it easier to remove them after baking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, add the room temperature butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer or hand whisk, cream them together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The texture should be smooth and pale in color. This step is essential as it helps to incorporate air into the batter, which will make your cupcakes light and airy.
Step 3: Add the Eggs
Next, add the eggs one at a time. Be sure to mix well after each addition. This will ensure that the eggs are fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture. Don’t rush this step; mixing well will help create a smooth batter.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to remove any lumps and ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients. Set this bowl aside for now.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
With your mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture. Start with adding 1/3 of the dry ingredients, followed by half of the milk. Mix until just combined, then add another third of the dry ingredients, followed by the remaining milk. Finish with the last third of the dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix – you only need to mix until everything is just combined.
Step 6: Add the Vanilla Extract
Once your batter is smooth and well mixed, add the vanilla extract. This will give your cupcakes that delicious, classic flavor. Mix it in gently.
Step 7: Fill the Cupcake Liners
Now it’s time to fill the cupcake liners. Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, fill each liner about two-thirds full. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise as they bake without overflowing.
Step 8: Bake the Cupcakes
Place the cupcake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Be sure not to open the oven door too early, as this can cause the cupcakes to collapse. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Step 9: Make the Frosting
While the cupcakes are cooling, let’s make the frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter until it’s smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, a little at a time, beating continuously. Once all the sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Then, add milk or cream one tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but smooth enough to spread easily.
Step 10: Frost the Cupcakes
Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, it’s time to frost them! Using a spatula or a piping bag, spread or pipe the frosting onto each cupcake. You can get creative with your frosting style—whether you prefer a simple swirl, rosettes, or a fun design with sprinkles, the choice is yours.
Enjoy Your Homemade Cupcakes!
And that’s it! You’ve just made delicious, homemade cupcakes. These cupcakes are light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet. They’re a wonderful treat for any occasion and sure to impress your friends and family. Don’t forget to try different frosting flavors and decorations to customize your cupcakes for any event.
Thanks for following our step-by-step guide, Lykkers! We hope you enjoyed this baking adventure. Get creative and have fun decorating your cupcakes. Happy baking!
Make assorted Cupcakes USING 1 RECIPE! 🧁
Video by Emma's Goodies
