These confetti cupcakes are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Starting with a moist and fluffy vanilla cupcake, loaded with confetti sprinkles they’re also topped with the creamiest vanilla buttercream.
195gplain flour (all-purp flour)(1 ½ cups / 6.9oz)
1teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoontable salt
57gunsalted butter, softened (¼ cup / ½ stick)
¼cupneutral flavoured vegetable oil(60ml)
200gcaster sugar (superfine sugar)(1 cup / 7oz)
2large eggs, room temp
2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
½cupwhole milk, room temp(125ml)
⅓cupconfetti sprinkles
THE CREAMY VANILLA FROSTING
1cupcaster sugar (superfine sugar)(200g / 7oz)
1cupwhole milk(250ml)
¼cupplain flour (all purp flour)(33g / 1.2oz)
226gunsalted butter, softened (1 cup / 2 sticks)
3teaspoonspure vanilla extract
Pinchof salt
For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided
Equipment
Regular muffin pan or silicone muffin pan
paper cupcake cases
Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or handheld electric beater)
mixing bowls
Balloon whisk and silicone spatula for mixing
Large cookie scoop / medium ice cream scoop
Piping bag and large star piping tip
Instructions
FOR THE CUPCAKES: Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan. Line a muffin pan with cupcake cases.
In a medium bowl, sift then whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer (with paddle attachment), beat the butter, oil and sugar until lightened and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth - scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time.
Beat in the vanilla.
Add one third of the flour mixture, carefully folding through with a spatula until just combined. Now add half the milk and stir in. Repeat 3 more times - flour, milk, flour - making sure to mix carefully each time and only just until combined.
Tip the batter into your cupcake cases ⅔ full, then bake for 18-24 minutes (notes on baking time).
Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before topping with frosting.
CREAMY VANILLA FROSTING: You can make the frosting base immediately after putting the cupcakes in the oven, then let it cool to room temperature before turning it into the frosting.
In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, whisk together the milk, half of the sugar and the flour. Continue to heat and whisk gently but regularly for another 3-4 minutes until you have a very thick paste (like thick pudding).
Transfer it to a plate, spread it out to about 1cm thick, then cover it with plastic wrap pressing the plastic wrap to the surface. Let it cool to room temperature before using (you can speed this up in the fridge but make sure it's not cold when you use it).
In a standmixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter and remaining sugar for about 5 minutes on medium-high speed or until very light and creamy - scrape down the sides of the bowl every so often.
Now add the milk paste mixture a dessert spoonful at a time, beating on low-medium speed for about 30 seconds between each. Again, scrape down the sides often.
Now beat for a good 5-6 minutes on medium-high, until it looks creamy, thick and smooth. If it looks like it's splitting, just keep beating, it will come together.
Add the vanilla and salt and beat for 20-30 seconds to combine.
Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag with a large star tip and pipe onto your cupcakes. Feel free to colour half or two thirds of the buttercream like I have here.
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Notes
USE SCALES: For best results, you should always weigh ingredients like flour and sugar. Kitchen scales are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop).
BAKING TIME: The baking time depends on a number of things. First of all, all ovens vary. Secondly, whether you’re using a metal muffin tin or silicone muffin pans like I am here. Thirdly, how large your cupcake cases are. Muffin pans and cupcake cases all come in slightly varying sizes so the amount of batter will change the time they take to cook.
TESTING FOR DONENESS: Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a crumb or two attached.
Have you tried this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.