All-American Vanilla Cupcakes 5 ★

How to Make All-American Vanilla Cupcakes

1. Prep the oven and muffin pan

   Preheat your oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position.

   Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners, or lightly grease each cup.

2. Combine the dry ingredients

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

3. Cream the butter and sugar

   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale in color.

4. Add eggs and vanilla

   Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so the mixture stays smooth.

   Beat in the vanilla extract until fully blended and fragrant.

5. Mix in the dry ingredients and milk

   With the mixer on low speed, add half the dry ingredients, then mix just until combined.

   Pour in the milk and mix on low until mostly combined, then add the remaining dry ingredients.

   Mix only until the batter is smooth; avoid overmixing so the cupcakes stay tender.

6. Fill the liners and bake

   Divide the batter evenly among the prepared liners, filling each about two thirds full.

   Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.

   A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool the cupcakes

   Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set their structure.

   Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting, so the buttercream does not melt.

8. Make the buttercream frosting

   In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.

   Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, then beat on low until combined.

   Increase to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.

9. Frost and decorate

   Once the cupcakes are fully cool, spread or pipe the buttercream generously on top of each cupcake.

   Finish with red, white, and blue star sprinkles for a festive all-American look.