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Creamy Sparkler Cupcakes with Easy Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

creamy sparkler cupcakes - featured image
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Moist and tender cupcakes with a creamy, dreamy vanilla buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrations or everyday treats. This recipe is quick, easy, and uses simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream (120ml)
  • ¼ cup whole milk (60ml)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g), sifted
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or whole milk (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Edible glitter or sparkler cupcake toppers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat ½ cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  5. Mix in ½ cup sour cream and ¼ cup whole milk until smooth.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Spoon batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cupcakes should spring back lightly when touched.
  9. Let cupcakes rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. To prepare the frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). Gradually add 4 cups sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low.
  11. Add 1 tbsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2-3 tbsp heavy cream or milk. Beat on high for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust cream for desired consistency.
  12. Use an offset spatula or piping bag fitted with a star tip to swirl frosting onto each cupcake.
  13. Add edible glitter or sparkler toppers for a festive touch if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and softened butter for best texture. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense cupcakes. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. If frosting is too soft, chill for 10 minutes before piping. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond or gluten-free baking flour. For dairy-free, use coconut oil, almond milk, and dairy-free sour cream alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: cupcakes, vanilla buttercream, easy cupcakes, creamy cupcakes, sparkler cupcakes, celebration cupcakes, homemade frosting

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/creamy-sparkler-cupcakes-recipe-easy-homemade-vanilla-buttercream-frosting/