Vanilla Cupcakes

A classic vanilla cupcake with creamy chocolate buttercream frosting.   Does it get any better than that?

I'm not sure how this became the quintessential "birthday cake" flavor combination but without a doubt it is the most requested flavor combination that I receive from customers for birthday cakes and cupcakes. 

A really great vanilla cake recipe is a cornerstone for cupcake bakers but mastering a perfectly moist cake with a tender, light crumb that bursts with vanilla flavor is not as easy to achieve as one might think.

There is very little room for error since the vanilla is the only dominate flavor but trust me, if you can master a delicious vanilla cupcake - everything else will fall into place.  (At least in your cupcake world - it won't necessarily help you in your personal life - but that's another story.)

I adapted a recipe from annieeats.com for this vanilla cupcake and I really do think I am dangerously close to achieving cupcake perfection.  A couple of tweaks here and there and I think I may have it down.  (It's about time, don't you think?)

Vanilla Cupcakes

1 and 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 egg whites
1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.












In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave.













Whisk in sugar - mixture will be gritty.

 Whisk in egg whites, yogurt, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.

Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no lumps remain. Batter will be thick.

Divide batter among 12 cupcake liners (or 24 mini) and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on wire racks.

Make a batch of chocolate buttercream.

Frost cupcakes and decorate as you please.  For me, the simpler the better.

If you are looking for a great vanilla cupcake recipe - I challenge you to give this one a try.  You've got nothing to lose really - you don't even need a mixer.  Grab your whisk and your bowl and get baking.

Ciao!