How to Make Basic Cupcakes

Co-authored by Maha Mohamed

Last Updated: February 12, 2024 Fact Checked

These basic vanilla cupcakes are super easy to make and can be whipped up quickly for a snack. They're a good first time cupcake for a baker who is learning the ropes or for younger children in the kitchen. Since they're plain, you can add any type of frosting you like.

Ingredients

⅓ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup milk

Steps

Download Article

Advertisement
Mix it well.^{[1]
X
Research source} (It may look like it's curdling but don't worry.)
Mix well until all bits of flour disappear.^{[2]
X
Research source}
^{[3]
X
Research source}
^{[4]
X
Research source}
Fill them half up.
8
Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes. Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean your cupcakes are done.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Avoid opening the oven in the middle of the baking process. Do it only when it is time to check if your cupcakes are done.
10
Serve. Your awesome and delicious cupcakes are done!
- Frost or ice the cupcakes with your choice of flavored frosting/icing.
- Don't frost freshly baked warm cupcakes. Make sure that they are completely cold.
- If you wish, you can even swirl different frostings together as long as they have the same consistence, for example buttercream and chocolate ganache. Or, you can use the same kind of frosting but of different colors. Layer your frostings on a piece of plastic wrap, and then roll it like a sandwich.
- If you wish, you can put some filling inside your cupcakes. Use an apple corer to make the hole in the cupcake, then fill them with whatever you like using a piping bag.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What are the cupcake ingredients?

Community Answer

Flour, sugar, and butter are the basic ingredients; however, you can use milk, water, and eggs.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 42 Helpful 107
Question

How would I use the toothpicks?

Rabiah Miller

Community Answer

Just insert the toothpick at a slight angle in the middle of the cupcake; if it comes out clean with no wet mixture on it, the cupcakes are done.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 30 Helpful 81
Question

If I want to make chocolate cupcakes, do I just add chocolate chips?

Niah Brown

Community Answer

If you just add chocolate chips to vanilla cupcakes they would just be vanilla cupcakes with chocolate chips. In order to make proper chocolate cupcakes you would have to use Dutch processed or normal cocoa powder to the batter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 36 Helpful 58

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Add frosting for a delicious ending.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.