Easy Cupcake Recipes for Beginners and Busy Bakers (2024)

Hello Foodie, and welcome to this article on easy cupcake recipes! If you’re a beginner or a busy baker, you’ll love these recipes that are simple to make and require minimal time and effort. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a party or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit. So let’s get started!

1. Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

For those who love the traditional taste of vanilla, these cupcakes are perfect. They’re easy to make, and the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores.

To make the cupcakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the softened butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost the cupcakes with your favorite frosting and decorate with sprinkles or other toppings.

2. Chocolate Cupcakes

For chocolate lovers, these cupcakes are a must-try. They’re rich, moist, and oh-so-chocolatey!

To make the cupcakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add in the softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined. Gradually pour in the boiling water, stirring until the mixture is smooth.

Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost the cupcakes with your favorite frosting and decorate with chocolate chips or other toppings. These chocolate cupcakes are perfect for a special occasion or just as a delicious treat any time.

3. Lemon Cupcakes

If you’re looking for a lighter, more refreshing cupcake, these lemon cupcakes are a great choice. They have a tangy citrus flavor that’s perfect for spring or summer.

To make the cupcakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the softened butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost the cupcakes with a lemon buttercream frosting and decorate with candied lemon peel or other toppings.

4. Red Velvet Cupcakes

Red velvet cupcakes are a classic favorite, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. They have a light chocolate flavor and a beautiful deep red color that’s sure to impress.

To make the cupcakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon red food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, mix together the buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. You can frost the cupcakes with a classic cream cheese frosting or experiment with other frosting flavors and decorations.

5. Vanilla Cupcakes

If you’re a fan of classic vanilla cake, you’ll love these vanilla cupcakes. They have a light, fluffy texture and a sweet, vanilla flavor that’s sure to please everyone.

To make the cupcakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the softened butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tin, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can frost the cupcakes with a classic vanilla buttercream frosting or experiment with other frosting flavors and decorations.

Easy Cupcake Recipes for Beginners and Busy Bakers (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good cupcakes? ›

Top Tips for Baking Better Cupcakes
  • Read the Recipe. Read the recipe all the way through first. ...
  • Check Oven Temperature. ...
  • Check the Dates. ...
  • Substitute with Caution. ...
  • Use the Right Temperature. ...
  • Take Time to Sift. ...
  • Measure with Care. ...
  • Cream the Ingredients.

What not to do when making cupcakes? ›

Mistakes You Need To Avoid When Making Cupcakes
  1. Not letting the oven preheat. ...
  2. Opening the oven during baking. ...
  3. Not properly measuring ingredients. ...
  4. Using low quality or expired ingredients. ...
  5. Using the wrong ingredients. ...
  6. Frosting too soon. ...
  7. Frosting too much or too little. ...
  8. Using ingredients that are too cold.
Jan 31, 2023

Is it better to make cupcakes the night before? ›

If you're baking cupcakes for a party or event, it's best to make them one to two days in advance so that they're still fresh on the day. This also gives you enough time to decorate your cupcakes just before the event.

Are cupcakes better with milk or water? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What's the most important ingredient in a cupcake? ›

Flour is the main ingredient of the batter and provides the base for the cupcake. Butter or oil provides flavor, tenderizes the batter and helps provide volume.

Is it better to bake cupcakes without liners? ›

The final takeaway. For cupcake baking, I recommend cupcake papers, foil liners, and nonstick baking cups — all were successful and easy to use. Avoid tulip papers and nonstick spray used alone, if possible.

How to get cupcakes to rise higher? ›

Place your cupcakes into a preheated 400 degree F oven, no matter what temperature the recipe calls for. Most cupcake recipes suggest 350-375 degrees F, which results in a flat top. When you increase the temperature, the edges of the cupcakes will solidify first, allowing the center to rise, creating a domed top.

How do you keep cupcakes moist and fluffy? ›

"Baking fluffy, moist cupcakes is all about creating air bubbles in your batter that expand in the oven," she says. "If you overmix your batter, you collapse those bubbles and end up with a brick-like cake." Always mix at a low speed to avoid this, stopping just as all ingredients blend.

Can you let cupcake batter sit overnight? ›

Directions for Overnight Resting

After mixing your batter, simply cover and chill in the fridge overnight before baking. No need to bring to room temperature before scooping into your muffin tin and baking. I prefer to rest the batter in one bowl instead of portioning out the batter into the muffin tin, then chilling.

What is the best raising agent for cupcakes? ›

Baking Powder

Baking powder is used in baked goods to increase volume and lighten the texture. Baking powder is made from baking soda (an alkali) and an acid. The acid, in most cases, is cream of tartar. Baking powder is used in almost all cake and cupcake recipes, as well as pancakes and cookies.

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