White Cupcakes

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These white cupcakes are super moist, light, and fluffy! They are topped with vanilla buttercream and are sure to become a new favorite. If you are looking for a foolproof, classic white cupcake recipe, look no further.

The Best White Cupcake Recipe

Some days call for a simple, classic white cupcake done right. That’s exactly what I have for you today. These white cupcakes are perfect for weddings, baby showers or a regular Saturday night. They are super moist and stay that way for days. These are a classic and a recipe you’ll want to have on hand for all kinds of occasions.

To make these delicious cupcakes, whipped egg whites are folded into a classic vanilla batter making these white cupcakes so light and fluffy that they make you think of perfect white clouds in the sky. The subtly sweet flavor of the cupcake is complimented beautifully by a creamy buttercream frosting and a smattering of sprinkles. They truly are the best you’ve ever tasted.

White cupcakes on a serving tray. One is half way unwrapped with a bite taken out of it.

What is a White Cupcake?

There are three different kinds of vanilla cakes – yellow, white, and regular. Yellow cupcakes are a little richer and they derive their color from the use of mostly (or all) egg yolks in the batter. White cupcakes, on the other hand, only use egg whites in the batter, making them lighter in color and, often, texture. Finally, classic vanilla cupcakes utilize whole eggs, producing a color and taste somewhere between white and yellow cupcakes. They are all delicious. I recommend experimenting to find your favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a simple white cupcake and this recipe is the king of all white cupcakes. Here are some of my favorite things about it.

  • Simple flavor. I love the subtle sweetness of these simple vanilla cupcakes. If you are in the mood for a dessert that isn’t super overpowering and is pleasing to a variety of taste preferences, these are the perfect solution.
  • Great texture. Folding the egg whites in at the end makes these cupcakes so light and fluffy. They are practically cloudlike. Plus, the addition of sour cream to the batter makes the finished product wonderfully moist.
  • Customizable. This simple white cupcake creates the perfect canvas for a variety of adaptations. Try swapping out the vanilla buttercream for my Fudgy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. You could even add some berries or shredded coconut to the batter or play around with fun decorations (see the section below titled “Decorating Ideas” for inspiration).

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a list of ingredients needed to make these white vanilla cupcakes. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for detailed measurements.

White Cupcakes

  • All-purpose flour – I like to measure my flour with a food scale, to be sure it’s accurate. Too much flour can give you dry or dense cupcakes. Feel free to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour instead.
  • Baking powder – For the perfect rise and texture.
  • Salt – For flavor.
  • Unsalted butter – The butter must be at room temperature otherwise it will not cream properly with the sugar.
  • Sugar
  • Sour cream – The sour cream adds a lovely moistness to these white cupcakes.
  • Vanilla extract – For flavor.
  • Milk – For moisture and a tender texture.
  • Water – For additional moisture without weighing down the cupcake with additional fat.
  • Egg whites – Make sure that the egg whites are at room temperature before beating. They will hold volume better.

Vanilla Buttercream

  • Unsalted butter – The butter should be at room temperature. If it is too cold, you will end up with a lumpy frosting. If it is too warm, your frosting will be runny.
  • Powdered sugar – For volume and a thick consistency.
  • Vanilla extract – Almond extract would be a fun alternative. Just note that you only need about 1/4 of the amount you would need if you were using vanilla.
  • Salt
  • Heavy cream – I highly recommend using heavy cream here as opposed to something with a lower fat percentage, which can give you a thinner frosting.
  • Sprinkles
Zoom out of white cupcakes on a serving tray.

How to Make White Cupcakes

Only 30 minutes to cupcake time! Here is a quick rundown of how to make these white cupcakes. Make sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

For the white cupcakes

  • Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and light in color.
  • Add. Mix. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add half of the dry ingredients. Mix to combine. Add the milk and water. Mix to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients. Mix to combine.
  • Beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  • Fold the egg whites gently into the batter, one half at a time.
  • Bake. Fill the cupcake liners halfway and bake for 15-17 minutes.
  • Cool. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the vanilla buttercream

  • Make the frosting. Mix the butter until smooth. Add half of the powdered sugar. Mix until smooth. Add the vanilla extract, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cream. Mix until smooth. Add the remaining powdered sugar. Mix until smooth.
  • Get the texture right. If the frosting is too thick, add the remaining cream (a little bit at a time) and mix until smooth until the desired consistency is achieved.
  • Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.

Why Do You Whip Egg Whites For Cupcakes?

Whipping egg whites incorporates air into them. When whipped egg whites are folded into cupcake batter properly (meaning very gently, ideally with a rubber spatula), that air is carried over into the batter. The result is a wonderfully light, fluffy cupcake. So whip those egg whites well and fold them in with care.

Closeup of white cupcakes on a serving tray.

Tips for the Best Homemade Cupcakes

Here are some simple tips and tricks that will help you achieve the best white cupcakes you’ve ever tasted. Happy baking!

  • Room temperature ingredients. Make sure that the butter and the eggs in the cupcake batter are at room temperature. Otherwise, the butter will not cream properly with the sugar and the eggs will not whip up properly. The butter in the buttercream should also be at room temperature unless you want an overly lumpy or runny frosting.
  • Don’t skimp on the creaming time. When creaming together the butter and sugar for the cupcake batter, give the electric mixer a full 2-3 minutes to do its work. The mixture should be fluffy and light in color at the end. This will help make the cupcakes wonderfully fluffy.
  • Fold in the egg whites. Folding in the egg whites at the end adds an airiness to the batter which results in a lighter, fluffier cupcake. Fold the egg whites in gently so they maintain as much air as possible.
  • Cool your cupcakes. Before frosting your cupcakes, it is crucial that they cool completely. Otherwise, your frosting will melt and slide right off. What a mess! If you want to learn more, check out my post on How To Frost Cupcakes.

Decorating Ideas

I love topping these cupcakes with sprinkles and calling it a day but there are a number of other directions you could go. Here are some ideas for you.

  • Fresh fruit. Slice up some fresh strawberries or arrange a few blueberries in the frosting.
  • Candy. Try chopping up your favorite candy bar and sprinkling the pieces on top of the buttercream frosting.
  • Shredded coconut. I love adding a little shredded coconut to the tops of these cupcakes. Feeling tropical? Add a dash of coconut extract to the batter and/or the buttercream.
  • Cookie crumbles. Crumble Oreo cookies or your favorite chocolate chip cookie on top for an extra treat.
  • Add color. Add a drop or two of gel icing color to the buttercream frosting for a pop of color.
White cupcakes on a serving tray.

How to Store Homemade White Cupcakes

If you find yourself with leftover cupcakes, arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container that is tall enough to accommodate the frosting. Seal the container and store the cupcakes at room temperature for up to 24 hours, then store in fridge for 3-4 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Alternatively, after sealing the cupcakes in an airtight container, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator and then come to room temperature before serving.

More Easy Cupcake Recipes

Watch How To Make These Cupcakes

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White cupcakes on a serving tray.
Recipe

White Cupcake Recipe

  • Author: Lindsay Conchar
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12-14 Cupcakes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These white cupcakes are moist, light & fluffy! If you are looking for a totally foolproof, classic vanilla cupcake recipe, look no further.


Ingredients

White Cupcakes

  • 1 1/4 cups (163g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 6 tbsp (84g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cups (155g) sugar
  • 6 tbsp (86g) sour cream
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 tbsp (90ml) milk
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) water
  • 3 large egg whites, room temperature

Vanilla Buttercream

  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups (460g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 23 tbsp (30-45ml) heavy cream
  • Sprinkles, optional

Instructions

For the white cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Do not skimp on the amount of creaming time.
  4. Add sour cream and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
  5. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add the milk and water and mix until well combined. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all ingredients are well incorporated. Set aside.
  6. Add the egg whites to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  7. Gently fold about half of the whipped egg whites into the rest of the cake batter until mostly combined, then add the remaining egg whites and gently fold until well combined.
  8. Fill the cupcake liners about halfway. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
  9. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.

For the vanilla buttercream

  1. While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. Add the butter to a large mixer bowl and mix until smooth.
  2. Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
  3. Add the vanilla extract, salt and 1 tablespoon of cream and mix until well combined and smooth.
  4. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
  5. Add the remaining cream as needed and mix until smooth.
  6. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. I used Ateco tip 844.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 375
  • Sugar: 45.9 g
  • Sodium: 231.3 mg
  • Fat: 20.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49.6 g
  • Protein: 1.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 53.4 mg

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181 Comments
  1. Angie K.

    I have been searching for the perfect vanilla cake/cupcake recipe. This is it! I have not tasted a better flavor or texture. And everyone who I’ve shared these with agrees! I’ve used this recipe for funfetti too. I do use the reverse creaming method, though. But that’s just because I haven’t mastered traditional creaming yet. They turn out perfect every time!






  2. Yasmin

    Hi, I’m gonna try it for my niece bday party, but is it possible to add in some whitecholate, either melted or shredded to the icing batter? Or is it going to ruin the thickness of the butter?

    1. Lindsay

      Adding melted white chocolate throws things off and I’m not sure if the batter is thick enough to suspend pieces of white chocolate. You could check out my white chocolate cake and make cupcakes with that.

  3. Donna

    I have been trying several different cupcake recipes, and was somewhat disappointed for different reasons every time. These were AMAZING! Moist and fluffy, and delicious – absolutely perfect!!

    1. Lindsay

      Yes, just keep in mind that the butter in the buttercream firms up when refrigerated, so you’ll need to allow time to bring it back to room temperature before using.

  4. Nicky

    Loved these cupcakes, light, fluffy and moist. The leftover 3 yolks were used to make icecream popsicles, win win. I must say I have been weighing ingredients the last 6 months and it really does make a difference. Great recipe !






  5. A

    I was in search of a good vanilla cupcake recipe for a while, and my search ended here. This is the absolute best vanilla cupcake recipe I have ever tasted. It is certainly better than any bakery cupcake I have ever had! I have tried the other vanilla cupcakes on this blog, and while they are delicious as well, and pretty top-notch, these are by far the best. They are SO fluffy and moist! I always put in 1/2 tsp of cake batter flavor, and it’s just enough to give that nice, bakery cake flavor. I have made it using cup measurements before, but weighing your ingredients for it jsut takes it to a whole other level! Overall, this is a FANTASTIC recipe.






  6. Charne Willemse

    I made this today. Supper easy played around swopped half a cup of flower for coco one teaspoon Vanilje for coffee flavour wow what a nice chocolate cup cake. Will defiantly use this recipe again, my opinion it is fool proof

  7. Adneris Quinones

    Hi Lindsay, if I double the ingredients to get 24-26 cupcakes in one batch vs making the batch twice … Do I need to adjust any of the ingredients? Like less egg whites, etc? Or I’m safe to double each of the ingredients?






    1. Quinn

      Hi Lindsay! I noticed you have a few vanilla cupcake recipes. Which one would you recommend I try first? My favorite types of cakes are moist/light/fluffy with a light and fluffy frosting. Thanks so much!!! Quinn

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29