Description
These Small Batch Vanilla Cupcakes are a quick dessert, easy recipe, and perfect homemade treat when you want classic bakery flavor without making a full dozen. With a soft vanilla crumb and creamy pink buttercream, they are great for birthday ideas, dessert ideas, party sweets, and small batch baking whenever you want something simple, pretty, and delicious.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
2 to 3 drops pink food coloring
1 tablespoon white sprinkles, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with 6 cupcake liners.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth.
5. Add half of the dry ingredients, then the milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the 6 liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the vanilla, milk, and pink food coloring until fluffy.
10. Pipe or spread the frosting over the cooled cupcakes and finish with sprinkles if desired.
Notes
Use room temperature butter, egg, and milk for a smoother batter and better rise.
Do not overmix once the flour is added or the cupcakes may turn out dense.
Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting so the buttercream stays neat and fluffy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 332
- Sugar: 33g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 62mg