Vanilla Cupcakes

These easy vanilla cupcakes are absolutely scrumptious--with or without the yummy vanilla buttercream icing.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 317 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 1.5 cups self-rising flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.

Step 2

Combine self-rising and all-purpose flours in a bowl.

Step 3

Cream butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk and vanilla, beating batter briefly after each addition. Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 full with batter.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5

Spread icing onto cooled cupcakes.

Step 6

Meanwhile, cream butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in 1/2 of the confectioners sugar, then mix in milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add remaining confectioners' sugar and mix until icing is thick enough for spreading.