Vanilla cupcakes, seemingly easy to make but definitely hard to perfect. I’ve lost count of how many batches of vanilla cupcakes came out of the oven a little less than perfect. But that was all before I started using this recipe. Just as easy as if you were baking with box mix but all the more satisfying to have known the perfect rise and crumb was all your own doing.

A shot of vanilla cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Peppermint Crisp Chocolate

The Only Vanilla Cupcake Recipe You Will Need

I’ve spent years looking for and developing the perfect cupcake recipe, and to be honest I definitely at times admitted defeat and bought box mix instead. There are a handful of variables that you need to consider when baking cupcakes and most of these come down to the recipe you have chosen.

I love this vanilla cupcake recipe iced with a caramel frosting and sprinkled peppermint crisp pieces because it satisfies a truly South African sweet tooth. The cream cheese icing is a great base to be adding caramel to because it results in a just sweet enough icing. This vanilla recipe is great to use with a variety of icings so get creative if you feel this upgrade on a caramel and peppermint crisp tart isn’t for you!

What Defines The Best Vanilla Cupcake Recipe?

I suppose like all things edible it comes down to taste, and for me these vanilla cupcakes aren't missing a thing. It is moist and has the perfect crumb! Having said that however the perfect cupcake also has a lot to do with the way the cupcake looks. Unlike cakes there’s very little to be done if the bake isn’t perfect. Brown bottoms, sunken centres, flat tops and even muffin top type overhangs are not what you want from the perfect cupcake!

Follow this recipe, fill your papers only ¾ of the way full and bake these babies in an oven that you understand and you won’t go wrong.

How to Bake Vanilla Cupcakes Step By Step

When starting out with baking cupcakes it can seem overwhelming when you look down at your sunken tray of exploded mess and try to piece together where you went wrong. I don’t want to get technical here because really it doesn’t matter (today), but what does matter is finding a recipe that works for you each and every time you make it.

Here are my steps to follow when trying to achieve the perfect vanilla cupcake

Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature
Before filling your papers make sure there are no lumps in the batter, scrape the bottom of that bowl and remix!
Bake your cupcakes in a preheated oven
Only fill the cupcake paper ¾ of the way full

How to Decorate the Perfect Cupcakes

Let me start by saying, be patient! Cupcakes cool quick enough so make sure you have cooled them properly before you decide to pipe on your icing. If you are in a rush take them out of the pan so they can cool quicker. And also remember cupcakes can dry out very quickly if not iced so try to ice them the same day that you are baking them.

I always decorate with piping bags and have a variety of nozzles that I love using. So find what works best for you and when it comes to nozzles remember… for cupcakes, big is better! Big swirls of this caramel cream cheese frosting and a spoonful of crushed peppermint crisp chocolate make these cupcakes oh so special! I can’t wait for you to try this variation on a peppermint crisp tart, almost life changing I’d say! You’ll be begging to bring the dessert the next time you venture out!

If you make this recipe and love it as much as I do please leave a comment below!

Feeling adventurous? Try these Chocolate and Mulberry Cupcakes too

Now that you are all set…

Happy Baking

With Love,

Kitty

📖 Recipe