Basic Vanilla Cupcakes

By

Baking Basics

This is the most basic vanilla cupcake recipe.

It is the simplest, easiest and fastest to make, and is a base cupcake that works for any frosting or decorating you wish to carry out. These basics are a must have in every repertoire of baking recipes. Once done and completely cooled, you can top with your choice of frosting (recipe links below). You can also top the frosting with chocolate shavings, rainbow sprinkles or even fruit toppings…. The possibilities are endless.

Since we are talking basics, and since the best thing about cupcakes is how easy they are to frost and decorate. You truly don’t have to be a master cake decorator to serve beautiful cupcakes. I have included for you a fun video demonstrating 4 basic cupcake piping techniques that will transform your basic cupcakes to ones just as beautiful as those you would buy from a specialty cupcake store! There is really not much to it, watch and see for yourself.

Remember, practice makes perfect and most importantly enjoy learning. Good things always come out of just that 🙂

Ingredients

Serves: 12

2 eggs
125g butter, softened
125g caster sugar
125g self-raising flour, sifted
1 ½ tsp vanilla essence or the seeds from 1 vanilla bean

Preheat your oven to 350F/180C.

Line 12 muffin holes with baking paper cups and set aside.

Pour all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the batter is smooth.

Divide the mixture into the lined 12 muffin holes (fill each ¾ full).

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned and toothpick inserted at the centre comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let them set in the pan for 3 minutes.

Turn on a wire rack and cool completely before spreading frosting or decorating.

The next time you are planning a kids birthday party, why not include cupcake decoration as an activity?

The kids can decorate the cupcakes as they like, and if these cupcakes are placed in nice looking boxes, they can be given as a party favour. All you need to do is bake the cupcakes ahead of time, create a cake decorating area of tables and chairs and top the tables with bowls of frosting, and bowls of assorted toppers (fruits, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, gummy bears, jelly beans…).

What fun!

Relative Links

You may also like…