Are you craving a sweet treat that's both delicious and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further! This recipe for 12 fluffy vanilla cupcakes, made with oil instead of butter, is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike. Forget complicated techniques and lengthy preparations; these cupcakes are quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress. They're a fantastic option for a casual weeknight dessert, a birthday celebration, or any occasion that calls for a homemade touch. Get ready to enjoy the delightful aroma of vanilla and the soft, moist texture of these perfect cupcakes!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Getting Started: Preparing the Cupcake Batter
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This simple step prevents sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. This ensures even leavening and a consistent texture in your cupcakes.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Again, thorough mixing is key here.
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Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed with an electric mixer until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes, so be gentle!
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Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will become thin – this is perfectly normal! The boiling water helps create a wonderfully moist and tender crumb.
Baking the Cupcakes:
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Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full. Don't overfill them, as they'll rise during baking.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid overbaking. Oven temperatures can vary, so adjust baking time as needed.
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Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from crumbling as they cool.
Making the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
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While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. Beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This is crucial for a smooth and creamy frosting.
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Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add more powdered sugar if needed to reach your desired consistency.
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Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
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Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the vanilla buttercream frosting.
Tips for the Best Cupcakes:
- Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients helps them blend together more easily, resulting in a smoother batter.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cupcakes. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Check for doneness: Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to test if the cupcakes are done. If it comes out clean, they're ready.
- Cool completely: Frosting warm cupcakes will cause the frosting to melt.
Variations:
- Chocolate Cupcakes: Add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
- Lemon Cupcakes: Replace the vanilla extract with 2 teaspoons of lemon extract and add the zest of one lemon to the batter.
- Different Frosting: Experiment with other frostings like cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache.
Nutritional Information (per cupcake, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 300-350 Fat: 15-20g Sugar: 25-30g Protein: 4-5g
These are just estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Enjoy your delicious and easy homemade vanilla cupcakes! They're perfect for sharing (or not!). Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!