Basic Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing: A Step-by-Step Baking Guide

A foolproof bake-at-home treat that balances rich flavor and a perfectly moist crumb.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 16, 2025

A foolproof bake-at-home treat that balances rich flavor and a perfectly moist crumb.

Basic Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing

Few treats capture the simplicity and joy of home baking like classic vanilla cupcakes topped with cream cheese icing. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a family gathering, or just a quiet afternoon, these cupcakes promise a tender crumb and rich flavor, all dressed with a creamy frosting that’s equally irresistible. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from choosing ingredients to decorating your finished cupcakes.

Why This Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe Stands Out

Perfectly moist texture: Thanks to the use of buttermilk, shortening, and cake flour, these cupcakes stay soft and tender.
Rich vanilla flavor: Extra vanilla extract elevates both the cakes and the icing.
Cream cheese icing: Smooth, tangy, and sweet, it complements the cupcake’s subtle flavor.
Customizable: Easily adapt for birthdays, holidays, or special events with colorings and toppings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient	For Cupcakes	For Icing
Vegetable Shortening	1 cup	–
Sugar	1 3/4 cups (granulated)	–
Cake Flour	2 1/2 cups	–
Salt	1 1/4 tsp	1/4 tsp
Eggs (large)	2 whole	–
Buttermilk	1 cup	–
Vanilla Extract	2 1/2 tsp	3 tsp
Baking Soda	1 tsp	–
Vinegar	1 1/2 tsp	–
Butter (softened)	–	1 stick
Cream Cheese (softened)	–	8 oz
Powdered Sugar (sifted)	–	4 cups

Tip: Use room temperature eggs, butter, and cream cheese to ensure everything mixes smoothly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Cupcake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
Cream shortening and sugar: Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the shortening and sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Sift cake flour and salt: In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour and salt to remove lumps and aerate.
Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, gently whisk eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, baking soda, and vinegar until well combined.
Combine ingredients: Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the creamed shortening/sugar, starting and ending with flour. Mix after each addition until just incorporated. Don’t overmix!

2. Baking the Cupcakes

Using a scoop or spoon, fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full with batter.
Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven, then let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Making the Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing

Cream butter and cream cheese: Beat together softened butter and cream cheese until light and smooth.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low to avoid mess, then increase speed as the sugar incorporates.
Add vanilla and salt: Mix in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Beat until fluffy: Continue beating until the icing is creamy, thick, and spreadable.

4. Decorating the Cupcakes

Wait until cupcakes are completely cool to avoid melting the icing.
Use a spatula or piping bag to frost a generous mound on each cupcake.
Decoration ideas:
- Sprinkle with colored sugars.
- Add fresh berries, candied ginger, or themed candy (for holidays/events).
- Try food coloring for festive occasions—pastels for Easter, brights for birthdays.

Tips for Baking Success

Measure accurately. For best results, spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off.
Do not overmix. Overbeating can lead to dense, tough cupcakes.
Test doneness: Start checking cupcakes at 17 minutes with a toothpick or cake tester.
Use quality vanilla extract for deeper, richer flavor.
For more color: Divide batter into bowls and tint each with a drop of food coloring before baking for a fun effect.

Customizing Your Cupcakes

This vanilla cupcake base is a blank canvas. Here are simple ways to personalize your treats:

Mix-ins: Stir in mini chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, or citrus zest.
Themed decorations: Top with edible glitter, colored sprinkles, or even fondant shapes.
Filling options: Once cooled, use a small piping tip to fill cupcakes with jam, lemon curd, or chocolate ganache.
Holiday twist: Dye the batter or icing with seasonal colors—green for St. Patrick’s Day, red and pink for Valentine’s.

How is This Recipe Different from Red Velvet Cake?

With the exception of more vanilla extract and skipping the food coloring, this is almost identical to the classic red velvet cake recipe found in The Pioneer Woman’s cookbook and site. The result: a golden, vanilla-rich cupcake with the iconic moistness of red velvet, minus the cocoa and coloring.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an approximate nutrition breakdown per cupcake:

Calories	424 kcal
Carbohydrates	54 g
Protein	2 g
Fat	21 g
Saturated Fat	8 g
Sodium	324 mg
Sugar	42 g

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on serving size and additional toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Cake flour is lower in protein, resulting in a lighter, more tender crumb in cupcakes. This makes a noticeable difference in texture, especially for delicate recipes like these.

Can I substitute butter for shortening?

Yes, but the texture will change. Shortening yields a lighter, fluffier cake, while butter adds flavor but can make cupcakes slightly denser. Many bakers use half butter, half shortening for a happy medium.

What’s the secret to moist cupcakes?

The combination of buttermilk and proper mixing technique ensures moisture. Avoid overbaking and be precise with measurements.

Is cream cheese icing safe to leave out?

Cream cheese icing is best enjoyed fresh and should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours due to dairy content. Store iced cupcakes in the fridge if not serving right away.

How do I prevent domed or sunken tops?

Domed tops can come from high oven temperature; sunken tops result from underbaking or overmixing. Stick to the recommended temperature, don’t open the oven early, and follow the mixing instructions carefully.

Troubleshooting Guide

Dry cupcakes? Likely due to overmixing or overbaking. Always check cupcakes early and mix just until combined.
Dense texture? Make sure to sift your flour, and don’t skip the vinegar or baking soda—these give cupcakes their lift.
Icing too runny? Chilling it for 20 minutes helps. Alternatively, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until thick.

Decorating Inspiration: Sprinkles, Berries & Beyond

While classic vanilla cupcakes are beautiful with just icing, you can easily dress them up. Consider these decorations:

Sugar sprinkles: For color and crunch.
Fresh berries: Adds a burst of tart flavor and a pop of color.
Candied ginger: A sophisticated touch for adult gatherings.
Colored icing: Mix a few drops of food coloring into icing for themed celebrations.
Holiday shapes: Use cookie cutters and fondant to create edible toppers.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Store unfrosted cupcakes: In an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Store frosted cupcakes: In the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Freeze: Freeze cupcakes (unfrosted) up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost as desired.

Serving Ideas for Every Occasion

Versatile and crowd-pleasing, vanilla cupcakes are suited for:

Birthday parties
Family gatherings
Potlucks and picnics
Holidays (Easter, Christmas, etc.)
Bake sales

Combine them with seasonal decorations or even a fun cupcake bar with various toppings to delight guests of all ages.

Expert Baker’s Tips

Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cupcakes.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
If icing is too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk; if too loose, add powdered sugar.

Recipe Variations

Lemon-Vanilla: Add 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest to the batter and a splash of lemon juice to the icing.
Birthday Fun: Stir in rainbow sprinkles for a colorful surprise inside.
Holiday Cupcakes: Use colored icing and themed toppings to match the occasion.

Printable Recipe Card

Want an easy-to-follow card for kitchen use? Try this format:

Step	Description
Batter Prep	Cream shortening & sugar; add sifted flour/salt, wet ingredients, then alternate until smooth.
Bake	Spoon batter into liners, bake at 350°F for 17–20 min.
Cool	Let cupcakes cool completely before icing.
Icing	Cream butter & cream cheese, add sugar, vanilla, salt; beat until fluffy.
Decorate	Frost cupcakes, top with sprinkles, berries, or your choice!

Related Cupcake Recipes

Irish Hills Cupcakes: Soft vanilla cakes topped with green cream cheese icing for a festive touch.
Bunny Cupcakes: Adorned with pastel sanding sugars and marshmallow bunny ears, these are perfect for spring celebrations.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Guide to Vanilla Cupcakes

Whether enjoyed plain or decked with festive sprinkles and colors, basic vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese icing are a staple for any baker’s repertoire. Follow these steps and tips for delicious results every time, and don’t forget to experiment—cupcakes are as fun to make as they are to eat!

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb

Basic Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing: A Step-by-Step Baking Guide

Basic Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing

Why This Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe Stands Out

Ingredients You’ll Need