Easy Fluffy Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe

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  • February 9, 2026
Breakfast

🧁 Fluffy Vanilla Cupcakes (My Go-To Bakery-Style Recipe) 🧁
Soft, light, and delicately sweet—pure cupcake happiness in every bite.

There’s something deeply comforting about a perfect vanilla cupcake. Not flashy, not complicated—just tender, fluffy, and balanced. After years of testing batters as a pastry chef, this recipe has become my absolute go-to for celebrations, dessert tables, and quiet afternoons when only something homemade will do.

These cupcakes rise beautifully, stay moist, and have that classic vanilla flavor that pairs with almost anything. Simple ingredients, reliable results, and endless ways to customize—this is the kind of recipe you keep forever.

💛 Why You’ll Love These Vanilla Cupcakes

  • Perfect texture: Light, fluffy, and tender every time

  • Pantry staples: No special ingredients required

  • Quick & easy: Ready in under 30 minutes

  • Endlessly customizable: Frost, fill, or decorate however you like

  • Small-batch friendly: Just enough to satisfy cravings

🧾 Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

🥣 Step-by-Step: How to Make Fluffy Vanilla Cupcakes

1️⃣ Prep the Oven & Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.

2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
This step ensures even rising and a uniform crumb.

3️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until very light and fluffy.
This is where the magic happens—it builds structure and air into the batter.

4️⃣ Combine Gently

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
Mix just until combined—do not overmix, or the cupcakes will turn dense.

5️⃣ Fill & Bake

Fill liners about ⅔ full to allow room for rising.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

6️⃣ Cool & Frost

Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Cool completely before frosting with your favorite topping.

✨ Flavor Variations (Endless Possibilities)

This vanilla base is a blank canvas. Here are my favorite twists:

  • Funfetti: Fold in ½ cup rainbow sprinkles

  • Lemon Vanilla: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest + a splash of lemon juice

  • Chocolate Chip: Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips

  • Berry Burst: Fold in 1 cup blueberries or raspberries

  • Spiced Vanilla: Add ½ tsp cinnamon + a pinch of nutmeg

🎂 Best Frosting Pairings

Turn these simple cupcakes into showstoppers:

  • Classic vanilla buttercream – timeless and fluffy

  • Chocolate ganache – rich, glossy, and indulgent

  • Whipped cream – light and not too sweet

  • Strawberry cream cheese frosting – fruity and tangy

  • Caramel drizzle – simple, sticky, and irresistible

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips for Bakery-Perfect Cupcakes

Small details make a big difference:

  • Use room-temperature butter and eggs

  • Cream butter and sugar thoroughly—don’t rush

  • Stop mixing as soon as flour disappears

  • Use an ice-cream scoop for even portions

  • Start checking at 18 minutes to avoid dryness

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

  • Room temperature: Unfrosted cupcakes keep 2 days in an airtight container

  • Refrigerator: Frosted cupcakes last 3–4 days (bring to room temp before serving)

  • Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes individually wrapped; thaw and decorate later

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