Favorite Traditional Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

2 min read September 14, 2026 Sara Schmutz
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For those of you who are bakers at heart, you can easily make up 5 different flavors of cupcakes, all with using one traditional vanilla cupcake base. If you don’t have a favorite vanilla cupcake recipe, we are sharing our favorite below. While this batch only makes a few, simply double it up to make as many cupcakes are you need! From this vanilla cupcake, you can make some fun flavored frostings to make each kind different and unique. Read more for our flavored frosting options too!

Recipe Time
35 to 45 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Servings
10 to 12 Servings
Ingredients:
Makes up to a Dozen Cupcakes
  • 1 1/2 c. All-purpose Flour
  • 1 t. Baking Powder
  • 1/2 c. Milk, at room temperature
  • 1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 c. Butter, at room temperature
  • 1 c. Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs, at room temperature
Step
1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners and set aside.

Step
2

In a bowl, mix together the milk and vanilla, set aside.

Step
3

In another bowl, whip the butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add the sugar and continue to beat. Once the sugar is mixed, slowly add the eggs until just blended. With your mixer on low, add the baking powder. Alternate between adding the flour and milk mixture until all is added and incorporated.

Step
4

Divide the batter evenly into your cupcake liners. Bake the cupcakes until they are just barely done (22 to 25 minutes). Take the cupcakes out of the pan and let cool before frosting.

Step
5

Love what you see? Try another one of our five frosting flavors to give your display of cupcakes some variety! Be sure to head over to see our Tips and Tricks for creating a Flower ArrangementDIY Personal Acrylic Trays, and see the full party put together at our Cupcake Tasting Bridal Shower Event!

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