Name: Birthday Vanilla Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 38 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 1½ teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup whole milk; ½ cup unsalted butter softened, for frosting; 2 cups powdered sugar for frosting; 1–2 tablespoons milk for frosting; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for frosting; Rainbow sprinkles for topping

01

Overview

Prep20 min

Cook18 min

Total38 min

Servings12

DifficultyEasy

02

Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour1½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon salt½ cup unsalted buttersoftened1 cup granulated sugar2 large eggsroom temperature2 teaspoons vanilla extract½ cup whole milk½ cup unsalted buttersoftened, for frosting2 cups powdered sugarfor frosting1–2 tablespoons milkfor frosting1 teaspoon vanilla extractfor frosting Rainbow sprinklesfor topping

03

Equipment

12-cup muffin tin
Paper liners
Mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Cooling rack
Piping bag (optional)

04

Method

01

Whisk the soft batter

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, beat in eggs and vanilla, then alternate dry mix and milk until smooth. Scoop into liners about ⅔ full.

02

Bake the little cakes

Bake 16 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and tops spring back. Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then move to a rack until fully cool.

03

Swirl the frosting clouds

Beat frosting butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until thick and pipeable. Swirl onto cooled cupcakes with a bag or spoon.

04

Rain the birthday stars

Shake sprinkles over the frosting while it is still soft so they stick. Arrange on a plate and make a wish before the first bite.

✦

Tips

NoteColor the frosting with a drop of gel color for a themed birthday.

NoteCupcakes freeze unfrosted up to 1 month; thaw and frost the day of.

NoteAurora believes sprinkles are a food group.

✦

Nutrition

Calories~280 kcal

Protein3 g

Fat12 g

Carbohydrates40 g

✦

Storage

Room temperatureCovered, frosted cupcakes keep 1 day.

RefrigeratorUp to 3 days; bring to room temp before serving.

FreezerFreeze unfrosted up to 1 month.

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Frequently asked

Can I make these dairy-free?+

Use plant butter and oat milk. Texture stays soft if ingredients are room temperature.

How do I get tall swirls?+

Chill frosting 10 minutes and use a large star tip. Start from the outside and spiral in.

Can I bake as a cake?+

Yes — pour into an 8-inch pan and bake longer, about 25–30 minutes. Frost and sprinkle the same way.

Birthday Vanilla Cupcakes

Overview

Ingredients

Equipment