Name: Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 200 g all-purpose flour; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 70 g butter (room temperature); 210 g granulated sugar; 3 large eggs (room temperature); 150 g full-fat sour cream (room temperature); 2 tbsp vegetable oil (e.g. canola oil); 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste; 200 g butter (cool room temperature); 330 g powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla paste; 1 tbsp whole milk (room temperature)

Jump to Recipe·4 from 79 reviews

There is something genuinely magical about celebrations filled with sweet treats, and this Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe is an absolute star when it comes to birthday delights. These cupcakes are soft, moist, and bursting with the warmth of real vanilla, topped off with a luscious vanilla buttercream that tastes like pure happiness. Every bite feels like a little moment of joy, perfectly balanced with just the right hint of sweetness and creaminess, making these cupcakes the ideal way to mark any special occasion or simply treat yourself and loved ones to a comforting classic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A silver metal tray holds nine dark brown chocolate cupcakes evenly spaced in three rows and three columns. Each cupcake has a rounded, slightly textured top with small air bubbles, showing they are freshly baked. The tray's edges are smooth with some light stains, placed on a white marbled surface that gives a clean and bright background. There are no decorations or frostings on the cupcakes, just simple brown cakes in metal baking cups. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting these cupcakes just right depends on a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create wonderful flavor and texture. Each item plays a key role, whether it’s providing fluffiness, moisture, or that signature vanilla aroma that makes this Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe so unforgettable.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cupcakes, offering structure and a tender crumb.
Baking soda: Helps the cupcakes rise evenly and gives them a light texture.
Baking powder: Adds an extra lift to keep the cupcakes soft and fluffy.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors while balancing the batter perfectly.
Butter (room temperature): Provides richness and helps create a moist texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes while contributing to the tender crumb.
Large eggs (room temperature): Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
Full-fat sour cream (room temperature): Makes the cupcakes exceptionally moist and adds a subtle tang.
Vegetable oil: Adds extra softness without weighing the batter down.
Vanilla extract: Brings a fragrant, pure vanilla flavor that shines throughout.
Vanilla bean paste: Intensifies the vanilla notes with beautiful flecks of real vanilla bean.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream for a perfect frosting consistency.
Whole milk (room temperature): Adds creaminess and smoothness to the buttercream frosting.

How to Make Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 160ºC (320ºF) in conventional mode. Line a 12-cup cupcake tray with cupcake liners to make sure your cupcakes bake evenly and are easy to remove once cooled.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This step not only combines the ingredients but also aerates the flour for lighter cupcakes.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This creates a perfect base for a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition to keep the batter smooth and fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure nothing is left unmixed.

Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, blending on low speed until just combined. Then fold in the sour cream, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste, mixing gently to maintain lightness. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined — overmixing here may lead to denser cupcakes.

Step 6: Bake the Cupcakes

Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Prepare Vanilla Buttercream

Sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps. In a mixer, beat the butter on medium-high for 4 minutes until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla paste, and whole milk in two additions, mixing on low speed until smooth. Scrape the bowl down and beat again on low speed for 2 minutes to achieve a perfectly silky, spreadable buttercream.

Step 8: Frost the Cupcakes

Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip, such as a Wilton 1A, with the buttercream. Pipe generous swirls atop each cupcake, giving a little indent on top with the back of a spoon or knife for a charming, homemade look.

How to Serve Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows a close-up view of six rich chocolate cupcakes on a round wooden board. Each cupcake has one dark chocolate cake base wrapped in a black paper liner, topped with a thick swirl of smooth, glossy dark chocolate frosting. The frosting forms a pointed peak with clear, swirling ridges, making three visible layers: the deep brown cake at the bottom, the black paper liner in the middle, and the dark glossy frosting on top. A few chocolate chips are scattered on and near the wooden board. The background features a soft white marbled surface with some blurred kitchen items. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle colorful confetti sprinkles or edible glitter over the vanilla buttercream for a festive vibe that’s pure birthday magic. Fresh berries or thin slices of vanilla bean pods can also add a sophisticated touch that elevates both appearance and aroma.

Side Dishes

Pair your Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe with a light, fruity salad or a refreshing glass of sparkling lemonade to balance the richness of the cupcakes. A cup of hot tea or coffee also complements the vanilla flavors beautifully, especially if you want a quiet moment of indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

Place the cupcakes on a tiered cake stand decorated with fresh flowers or colorful ribbons to instantly impress your guests. Another fun idea is to serve them in individual cupcake boxes tied with a birthday bow, making each treat feel like a little present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To extend freshness, refrigeration is fine but be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving for that perfect soft texture and rich flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 3 months by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and frost just before serving to keep the buttercream fresh and creamy.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy cupcakes warm, pop them in a microwave for about 10 seconds on low heat—this will revive the softness and melt the buttercream slightly for a luscious bite. Just be cautious not to overheat, or things might get too soft.

FAQs

Can I substitute sour cream with yogurt in this recipe?

Absolutely! Full-fat plain yogurt is a great alternative to sour cream and will keep the cupcakes moist while adding a slight tanginess.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine and use coconut yogurt or another dairy-free sour cream substitute. Just keep an eye on texture as it might change slightly.

How long do these cupcakes stay fresh once frosted?

Once frosted, cupcakes are best enjoyed within 1 to 2 days. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain softness.

Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes, vanilla extract works well and still provides great flavor, but vanilla bean paste gives a more intense vanilla taste and those lovely natural flecks that make the cupcakes extra special.

What’s the best way to pipe buttercream for beginners?

Start with a round tip like Wilton 1A, and pipe in a simple circular motion. Practice on parchment paper first until you feel confident, then go for it on your cupcakes!

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Birthday Cupcakes Recipe truly holds a special place in my heart because it’s both simple and spectacular. From the tender crumb to that irresistible vanilla buttercream topping, these cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate life’s sweetest moments. I hope you make them your go-to recipe for birthdays and little celebrations—you really can’t go wrong with this one!