Vanilla Cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes: A Birthday Tradition That’s Perfect for Any Theme

For as long as I can remember, these vanilla cupcakes have been at the heart of our family birthday celebrations. They’re not just any cupcakes—they’re a tradition, one I’ve made every year for my daughters’ birthdays. Over time, they’ve become synonymous with our celebrations, bringing a sense of comfort and joy that never fails to make each party special. And the best part? These cupcakes work for any theme.

Every year, my daughters would choose a new party theme—whether it was fairies, princesses, or something more whimsical like a circus or jungle adventure. Regardless of the theme, these cupcakes always made an appearance, and they somehow always fit right in. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity: it’s a classic vanilla cupcake that’s perfect on its own, and I could customize it with different frostings and decorations to match whatever party vibe we had going.

What sets these cupcakes apart from others, though, is their balance. You see, I’ve always been a bit picky about how sweet my baked goods are. There’s a fine line between just sweet enough and overwhelming, and I’ve learned over the years that cupcakes should never leave you feeling like you’ve had too much sugar in one bite. So, these cupcakes are made to be just the right amount of sweet—enough to satisfy the craving for something indulgent, but not so sweet that you can’t enjoy more than one.

And the frosting? Well, that’s where the magic happens. The key is to keep it from being too sugary. I’ve always kept the frosting light and creamy, with just the right touch of vanilla, and not too much sugar. The result is a frosting that perfectly complements the flavor of the cupcakes, without overpowering them. It’s smooth and delicious, but not overly rich, which makes it ideal for decorating to fit any theme. Whether I’m piping it into rosettes or simply spreading it on with a knife, it always feels just right.

Over the years, these cupcakes have been transformed for every new birthday theme, but they’ve always remained the same in essence. The frosting color would change with each party, from soft pastels for a garden party to bold, vibrant colors for a fun circus-themed bash. Sometimes I’d add sprinkles or edible glitter to add a bit of sparkle, but at the heart of it, they were always the same perfectly balanced cupcakes that everyone loved.

I’ve seen these cupcakes be the centerpiece of princess parties, the sweet treat at sleepovers, and the perfect dessert at family gatherings. And no matter the theme or how much I decorate them, they always bring smiles. There’s something so comforting about a cupcake that’s simple yet delicious, familiar yet endlessly adaptable.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes these cupcakes so special, I think it’s the tradition behind them—the fact that they’ve been a part of so many birthday memories over the years. They’ve seen my daughters grow, their interests change, and their party themes evolve. But through it all, these cupcakes have remained a constant source of happiness. They’re a little slice of comfort on every birthday.

If you’re planning a birthday bash—whether it’s a big celebration or a small family gathering—I encourage you to try these cupcakes. They’re the kind of treat that works for any theme, brings joy to any occasion, and most importantly, never gets old.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Jolie Miller | forknwhisk.com

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Servings 12 cupcakes

Equipment

• mixer
• mixing bowls
• whisk
• spatula/scaper
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/4 C Cake Flour
• 3/4 t Baking powder
• 1/2 t Baking soda
• 1/2 t Salt
• 2 lrg Eggs
• 1 C Sugar
• 1 t Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 C Vegetable Oil
• 1/3 C Milk
• 1/3 C Sour Cream

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• In a medium bowl, add cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir together with a whisk and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add eggs and beat 10-20 seconds. Add sugar and continue to beat on medium speed about 30 seconds. Add vanilla and oil, beat.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add about half of the flour mixture. Add the milk, then the rest of the flour and the sour cream. Beat until just combined. Scrap down the side of the bowl.
• The batter will be thin. Pour batter into a muffin pan prepared with paper liners. Fill liners about 2/3 full.
• Bake cupcakes in pre-heated oven for 12-14 minutes.
• Cool in pan 1-2 minutes, then remove cupcakes from pan (carefully) and finish cooling on a wire rack.
• Frost as desired when fully cool. I love to use my favorite Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.

Notes

Feel free to use this recipe for a cake as well. The recipe above will work for a 6″ cake. Double the recipe for an 8″ or 9″ cake.

A note about Cake Flour- Cake Flour has a lower protein content than traditional all-purpose flour, which results in a more tender, delicate crumb in the finished product. If you can not find or access cake flour, feel free to substitute as necessary, but your results will vary from the original recipe.

Keyword cupcakes, vanilla