This Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes recipe makes six fabulous moist vanilla cupcakes topped with a quick and easy American buttercream frosting.
Happy Friday, friends. How has your week been? Not going to lie, mine has been STRESSFUL. Between all the garbage in the world right now and Baking Mischief breaking itself twice(!!) within 24 hours (Were you around for the site weirdness on Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning? It was not pretty.), “chill” has not been a word in my vocabulary this week.
But guess what, the week is almost over, it’s sunny and 70 degrees here in Southern California, and we are all still here. That’s something to be grateful for. I’m grateful for kind popstar quotes, silly unicorn drinks, and all the other small joys in my life, and when I remember that, the world does feel just a *little* less garbage.
Speaking of small joys, who could go for a cupcake right about now? (Guys, I’m so great at segues.)
These Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes have definitely been one of the small joys of my week. I shot the photos for this post a couple weeks ago–those who follow my Instagram stories might recognize them– but I actually made them again this morning because I felt like this week deserved cupcakes to celebrate its end. And since they are small batch, I can totally get away with that.
This small-batch cupcake recipe makes just six cute little vanilla cupcakes. I like the half dozen count because it’s just enough to share if I have a couple of friends over but not so many that I feel like I have to find homes for all of them if I decide to do some cupcake baking on a whim some lazy weekend.
And these cupcakes are perfect for a lazy weekend because they are super simple to make. You just need one bowl, some baking staples, and a cupcake craving, and you are just a tiny bit of effort away from some seriously yummy little cupcakes.
These vanilla cupcakes are on the moist and heavier side (if you want something super light and airy, I recommend my Small-batch Angel Food Cupcakes). They are super soft with an incredibly tender crumb and get topped off with a classic easy American vanilla buttercream and of course, some sprinkles.
If you feel like mixing and matching, you can also use the chocolate buttercream from my Small-batch Chocolate Cupcakes–that’s what I did this morning and it was FAB.
And I will totally admit that a cupcake is not going to cure all the world’s ills, BUT, if you need a small joy in your life this weekend, I heartily recommend one of these.
Small-batch Vanilla Cupcake Recipe Notes
- Be sure to use properly softened butter where called for. Butter that is too cold could result in your cupcakes sinking and melty butter can result in flatter, possibly oily cupcakes.
- For the best cupcakes, use a kitchen scale (my preferred choice) or the Spoon and Sweep Method, spoon flour into your measuring cup and sweep excess off with the flat of a knife, to measure your flour otherwise your cupcakes will be too dense!
- If you plan on spreading your frosting with a knife rather than piping, cut the buttercream recipe in half.
Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes
Ingredients
Special Equipment
- Handheld electric mixer optional but helpful
- 6-cup cupcake pan full size works too!!
Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes
- 3 tablespoons (1.5oz) unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 cup and 3 tablespoons (87g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour measured using the spoon and sweep method and divided
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon milk any percentage
Vanilla Buttercream
- 4 tablespoons (2oz) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
Small-batch Vanilla Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line your cupcake pan with 6 liners.
- In a medium bowl combine butter and sugar and using a handheld electric mixer, cream together until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add egg white and vanilla. Beat on medium until smooth.
- Add 1/4 cup (30g) of the flour, baking powder, and salt. And mix on low until incorporated.
- Mix in milk on low. Add remaining 1/4 cup of flour and mix on medium until well-mixed and smooth. Divide batter between prepared cupcake cups, filling just under 2/3 full. This should make exactly 6 cupcakes. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean or with just a couple dry crumbs.
- Transfer to a cooling rack when the cupcakes are cool enough to handle and cool completely before frosting.
Vanilla Buttercream
- In a medium bowl, combine butter, powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until frosting comes together, adding milk by the 1/2 teaspoon as necessary.
- Transfer frosting to a piping bag and pipe over cupcakes or use a knife to spread frosting. Top with sprinkles if desired, and enjoy!
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Sarah B says
I made these for my son’s first birthday and they were the best vanilla cupcakes I’ve ever had by a LONG SHOT! Thank you!
Is there any way I can make these ahead of time and freeze them? Thanks so much!!
Sharal says
Tried a few recipes and these turned out the best!
Moist and so soft. My kids enjoy them without any frosting.
Perfect!
Kathie says
Perfect! Wanted to take cupcakes for my mom’s birthday. Since only 4 of us would be celebrating, I found this recipe-so glad I did! We all enjoyed and the ratio cupcakes to frosting was spot on!
Brookie says
Wow, these are so yummy! I made a winter one with your your buttercream, It was the best buttercream I have ever had in my whole life!!!!!!!!!!!
Tracy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Jonathan says
This was soooo easy and tasted DELISH, 10/10 recommend for anyone in need of cupcakes with a few ingredients 🙂
Chayla says
I’ve just come across your website and have made so many in the last days. With these, as soon as I added the milk they started to look off. Once cooked they came out with a cornbread texture. Still delicious and my family ate them up as soon as they were iced. Any idea why that might have happened?
JENNIE says
These were the most delicious little cupcakes. We even ate them without any frosting! YUM!
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Soomy says
Thank you for this amazing recipe!
I was looking for a fun and easy small batch recipe for my little bakers( 3 and 5 years) and these came out perfect.
We followed the instructions and out came the yummiest cupcakes ever! I put them in a mini muffin tin and out came 12 amazing mini muffins we devoured!
These are kid-proof and frazzled mom proof I’m happy to report.
Jane says
We make these all the time. We love them! Thanks.
Tracy says
So glad to hear it, Jane!!
Kira Urie says
I have made this recipe so many times I’ve lost count. Its a great way to have just a few when needed, and I’ve doubled it with success as well. I have substituted a teaspoon of almond extract for the vanilla, and then filled with tart cherry filling and chocolate buttercreme as well, which seems to be a huge success. As is its a great recipe and easy to customize.
Andrea says
Perfect snack…made 3 larger ones using aluminum foil liners..baked 2 minutes longer….perfect rounded tops…
Tracy says
So glad that you enjoyed them, and love the idea of making them jumbo!!
Alice Samala says
I really love the cupcakes
And so does my judgy family !! Lol
The only problem with it is that it’s a little bit too sweet.. other wise it’s amazing
Thanks so much !!!!
Trish says
Just made these, and it was my first time baking cupcakes/cake from scratch! They turned out perfectly moist and delicious, but I added about a quarter cup of white chocolate chips to the batter and that took it to a whole new level! I highly recommend it! Thanks for a great recipe!
Tracy says
Love the white chocolate chip idea!! So glad you enjoyed them, Trish!
Ann says
Made these, exactly as directed and they were lovely. Tasted exactly like a cake from the bakery, right down to the smooth buttercream frosting!!!
Andrea says
These are so yummy and moist and fluffy! They totally hit the spot when I was craving a sweet treat. I used salted butter and added a pinch of salt to the frosting (by accident, oops!) but it was perfect. I shared one with my neighbor and she keeps talking about how good it was.
Melanie Budd says
I made these, used buttermilk and whole egg. Yummy, light, fluffy and delicious. I will make again. I had some leftover Italian meringue buttercream with caramel flavoring. It went well with this wonderful cupcake. Thank you for the great recipe.
Tracy says
That buttercream sounds amazing! So glad the cupcakes worked out for you!!