Basic cupcake recipe for beginners: how to make soft cakes with creamy frosting

What are cupcakes

Cupcakes are individual cakes that owe their name to the molds in which they have been baked since the 19th century. They are, in fact, approximately the size of a teacup.

But what is the difference compared to a muffin, which is also about the same size? It lies in the texture. Cupcakes, just like a regular cake, are spongy, light, and sweet. Muffins have a coarser texture, but are also more compact and taller. Nowadays, most cupcakes also have frosting, a creamy layer on top of the cakes, possibly with other decorations. Muffins do not have this.

Various cupcake recipes

Cupcakes aren't just for serving at parties, but also for giving as a gift. Think of Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, a birthday, or just because you can. That's why you can easily adapt this basic cupcake recipe with various flavor combinations. Use fruit, extracts, flavorings, and colorings to bring your own cupcake recipe to life!

Looking for some inspiration? We'll help you get started. Below you will find a list of delicious variations on our easy basic cupcake recipe.

• Replace the butter with browned butter. Make sure to let it cool and harden before mixing.
• Add cocoa powder to the batter and frosting for a chocolate cupcake.
• Divide the batter between 2 bowls and add a flavor and food coloring to one of them. This is how you make a marbled cupcake.
• Toss some frozen fruit with flour and add it to the batter. The flour prevents the fruit juices from mixing with the batter.

The only basic cupcake recipe you need

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
• Beat the butter until smooth and fluffy. Then add the sugar and beat it in until the batter is light in color.
• Whisk the eggs and add them one by one until smooth. As soon as the eggs are incorporated into the batter, you can mix in the vanilla extract.
• Sift in the self-rising flour and mix until just combined, making sure not to overmix.
• Divide the batter among twelve molds and place them on a baking sheet or in a muffin tin in the middle of the oven.
• Bake the cupcakes in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and done. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Basic frosting recipe (vanilla buttercream)

• Beat the butter until smooth and fluffy, then add the powdered sugar. Stir well and then mix until smooth.
• Add 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Are you using coloring or flavoring? If so, add them at this step and mix again.
• Pipe the vanilla frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.