The Best Cupcake Recipe

close up shot of a plate of frosted vanilla cupcakes topped with sprinkles

5 from 10 votes

You'll love these amazing, quick vanilla cupcakes -- they taste gourmet because they're made with instant vanilla pudding resulting in a rich and creamy texture.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 248kcal

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix
3.5 ounces instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
½ cup milk
1 cup sour cream

Frosting

½ cups butter, room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together cake mix and vanilla pudding.
In a separate bowl mix together eggs, oil, milk and sour cream.
Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Divide batter among 24 cupcake liners. Fill each cupcake liner half way with batter.
Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.
In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Turn on low and mix until all the powdered sugar is mixed into the butter. Turn on high and whip for 30 seconds until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Frost cupcakes, and top with sprinkles.

Video

Notes

To change the color of the frosting, simply add a drop or two of food coloring to a bowl of frosting and stir to combine.
Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature to keep your batter an even consistency.
Using an ice cream scoop is a great way to measure your cupcake batter into the paper liners and the easiest way to minimize the mess.
If you want a bakery perfect swirl of frosting on top, use a pastry bag or fill a Ziploc bag with frosting, snip the corner off, and use it as a piping bag, going in little circles to create a swirled design.

Nutrition